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Stalagmite VS Stalactite
Googling the two words gets you:
A stalagmite (Greek stalagma, "drip") is a type of speleothem formed by the deposit of calcium carbonate which
rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions. The corresponding formation on the
ceiling above a stalagmite is known as a stalactite. Should both these formations grow together, meeting in the middle, the
resultant formation is known as a column or pillar. The term "stalagmite" is derived from the Greek meaning that
which drops; "stalactite," ...
A stalactite (Greek stalaktos, "dripping") or dripstone is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling
or wall of a limestone cave. It is formed from the deposit of calcium carbonate and the dripping of mineralized solutions.
The corresponding formation on the floor underneath a stalactite is known as a stalagmite. Should both these formations grow
together, meeting in the middle, the resultant formation is known as a column or pillar. Note that icicles are not stalactites,
since they are ....
But I don't remember my Greek very well so:
Stalactites, better be tight to the ceiling or it will fall on your head.
Stalagmites, might have fallen already!
Mind you these are slow deposits formed, so they don't tend to fall at all (and if they did they would bust up not neatly
turn wide end down and become mites)
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