Stalactites and stalagmites in limestone caves form through the precipitation of calcium carbonate from dripping water that has dissolved limestone, with stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor. In contrast, lava tubes, formed by flowing lava that cools and hardens, can develop formations like stalactites and stalagmites made of mineral deposits from volcanic gases or cooled lava drips, but these are typically less common and have different compositions, such as basalt. The formation processes and the materials involved differ significantly due to the distinct geological environments of limestone caves and lava tubes.
SPELEOTHEMS: Stalactites, stalactites, curtains (draperies in US caving), straws (fine tubular stalactites - 'soda straws' in US), flowstone, gour pools (I think 'rimstone' pools, ditto), cave pearls, helictites (aka 'erratics' but rather unwisely because that is already a definite geological term for a boulder left far from source by a glacier. They are all of calcite, crystalline calcium carbonate.
Stalactites and stalagmites: These are formations that hang from the cave ceiling (stalactites) or rise from the cave floor (stalagmites) due to mineral deposits from dripping water. Bats: Many caves provide habitats for various species of bats, which roost in the darkness during the day and come out at night to feed. Cave paintings: Some caves contain prehistoric artwork created by early human inhabitants, providing valuable insights into ancient cultures and their way of life.
Two features formed by underground deposition are stalactites, which hang from the ceiling of caves, and stalagmites, which grow up from the floor of caves. These formations are created as mineral-rich water drips from the ceiling and leaves behind deposits of minerals like calcite or gypsum.
Caverns form in the zone of saturation because flowing water dissolves rock to create voids. Dripstone features form in the zone of aeration because water drips through the air and leaves behind minerals when it evaporates, slowly building up formations like stalactites and stalagmites.
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Acidic groundwater dissolves limestone formations in caves by chemically reacting with the calcium carbonate in the rock, forming calcium bicarbonate which is soluble in water. Over time, this process creates features such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Columns in caves are tall, cylindrical formations that are created when stalactites from the ceiling and stalagmites from the floor meet and fuse together. They can grow over thousands of years as mineral deposits accumulate in caves. Columns are common features in caves with significant limestone formations.
The two features formed by underground weathering are caves and caverns. Caves are natural underground chambers typically formed in limestone, while caverns are larger caves that often have unique formations such as stalactites and stalagmites.
There's no "hypothesis" as their chemistry is well-known, although their individual morphology can often be baffling.They are of crystalline calcite precipitated from ground-water that has dissolved the mineral from the limestone through whose joints, bedding-planes or faults it percolates en route to the cave.
Stalactites and stalagmites are two common features formed by deposition in caves. Stalactites hang from the ceiling and are formed by the dripping of mineral-rich water, while stalagmites form on the cave floor as the same dripping water evaporates, leaving behind mineral deposits.
Luray Caverns in Virginia primarily features formations of limestone, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. Some other minerals present in the caverns include calcite, aragonite, and gypsum.
Caves! Though you will also find them in some artificial subterranean structures, provided the necessary sources of calcium carbonate and water charged with carbon-dioxide to produce carbonic acid, are available. They need to be in air to form. They won't grow underwater, apart from certain forms of stalagmite deposit associated with pools or gently-trickling flows.
The type or more accurately, age and lithology, of the limestone does not influence cave development within it significantly, though its structure will. CALCITE, the mineral Calcium Carbonate, is deposited in caves as Stalactites, Stalagmites and related formations, having been dissolved from the limestone above. The original answer said Travertine, but although that is the same mineral, it is a form deposited in the open air.
Stalagmites and stalactites are two features formed by underground deposition. Stalactites hang from the ceiling of caves and are formed as mineral-rich water drips down and leaves behind deposits of minerals. Stalagmites, on the other hand, form on the cave floor as the dripping water deposits minerals and builds up over time.
Some features formed by underground erosion and deposition include caves, sinkholes, underground rivers, karst landscapes, and stalactites/stalagmites. These formations are typically found in areas with soluble rock formations such as limestone, where water can dissolve the rock over time and create unique underground features.
Underground erosion can form caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. Deposition can result in formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone.
Caves are natural underground formations typically formed by the erosion of rock. They can vary in size, shape, and complexity. Caves are often dark and damp, with unique ecosystems and geological features such as stalactites and stalagmites. They can serve as habitats for various organisms and have cultural and recreational significance.