Stalactite vs. Stalagmite

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Stalactite and Stalagmite is that the Stalactite is a elongated mineral formation which hangs down from a cave ceiling and Stalagmite is a elongated mineral formation which forms on a cave floor.

  • Stalactite

    A stalactite (UK: , US: ; from the Greek stalasso, (σταλάσσω), “to drip”, and meaning “that which drips”) is a type of formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or manmade structures such as bridges and mines. Any material that is soluble, can be deposited as a colloid, or is in suspension, or is capable of being melted, may form a stalactite. Stalactites may be composed of lava, minerals, mud, peat, pitch, sand, sinter, and amberat (crystallized urine of pack rats). A stalactite is not necessarily a speleothem, though speleothems are the most common form of stalactite because of the abundance of limestone caves.The corresponding formation on the floor of the cave is known as a stalagmite. Mnemonics have been developed for which word refers to which type of formation; one is that stalactite has a C for “ceiling”, and stalagmite has a G for “ground”.

  • Stalagmite

    A stalagmite (UK: or US: ; from the Greek σταλαγμίτης – stalagmitês, from σταλαγμίας – stalagmias, “dropping, trickling”)

    is a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings. Stalagmites may be composed of lava, minerals, mud, peat, pitch, sand, sinter and amberat (crystallized urine of pack rats).The corresponding formation hanging down from the ceiling of a cave is a stalactite. Mnemonics have been developed for which word refers to which type of formation; one is that stalactite has a C for “ceiling”, and stalagmite has a G for “ground”.

Wikipedia
  • Stalactite (noun)

    A secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or another mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that hangs from the roof of a cave.

  • Stalagmite (noun)

    A secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or other mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that lie on the ground of a cave.

Wiktionary
  • Stalactite (noun)

    a tapering structure hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water.

  • Stalagmite (noun)

    a mound or tapering column rising from the floor of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water and often uniting with a stalactite.

Oxford Dictionary

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