stalagmite

[New Latin stalagmītēs, a drop, from Greek stalagma, a drop, or stalagmos, dropping, both from stalassein, stalak-, to drip.]

A column of pure limestone, formed on the floor of a cave when the dissolved calcium carbonate in the underground water is deposited and the water evaporates as it splashes onto the cave floor. Both stalactites and stalagmites are common in limestone caves, from the Peak District of Derbyshire, UK, to the Swabian Alb, Germany.

Rock structures that grow up from the floors of caves as water drips down and deposits minerals. (Compare stalactites.)

Stalagmites may also refer to a type of fungus

The Witch's Finger in the Carlsbad Caverns

A stalagmite (from the Greek stalagma ("Σταλαγμίτης"), "drop" or "drip") is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. The corresponding formation on the ceiling of a cave is known as a stalactite. If these formations grow together, the result is known as a column.

When touring caves with stalactites and stalagmites you might be requested to not touch the rock formations. This is generally because the formation is considered to still be growing and forming. Since the rock buildup is formed by minerals solidifying out of the water solution onto the old surface, skin oils can disturb where the mineral water will cling, thus affecting the growth of the formation. Oils and dirt from the hands can also stain the formation and change its colour permanently.

Similar structures can also form in lava tubes, known as lavacicles, although the mechanism of formation is very different. Stalactites and stalagmites can also form on concrete ceilings and floors, although they form much more rapidly there than in the natural cave environment.

Stalagtites and stalagmites are similar to travertine in the way they form and in their composition, but there are differences. [1]

The largest stalagmite in the world is 62.2 metres (220 feet) high and is located in the cave of Cueva San Martin Infierno, Cuba.^[1]

See also

• Stalactite
• Speleothem

References

1. ^ Fothergill, A. et al. (2006) Planet Earth, London, BBC Books, pages 184-185

External links

• The Virtual Cave: Stalagmites

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Stalagmite

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - stalagmit, drypsten

Nederlands (Dutch)
stalagmiet, druipsteen

Français (French)
n. - stalagmite

Deutsch (German)
n. - Stalagmit

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (γεωλ.) σταλαγμίτης

Italiano (Italian)
stalagmite

Português (Portuguese)
n. - estalagmite (f)

Русский (Russian)
сталагмит

Español (Spanish)
n. - estalagmita

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - stalagmit, droppsten

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
石笋, 石笋状

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 石筍, 石筍狀

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 석순

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 石筍

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) الحليمات الصواعد (جيولوجيا)‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮זקיף, אבן טיפין תחתית, סטלגמיט‬

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