Stalactites are formed from rainwater. Rainwater is very acidic even without the pollution in the air. When it rains, tiny raindrops are formed. The raindrops dissolve carbon dioxide gases in the air and form a weak carbonic acid. The raindrops then seep into the ground. The groundwater eats away at the calcite in the earth. Calcite is the main mineral in limestone rock. The acid dissolves the limestone and makes designs in the rock. Flowing acidy water can carve a cavern underground. The underground water moves the dissolved calcite and deposits in a different place.

When the water seeps into the ground it may hang on the ceiling of the cave as a droplet. This droplet is known as a minute mineral particle. As the droplet evaporates, it deposits the calcite on the ceiling or the floor of the cave. The next droplet that s

There are three basic types of stalactites and it can take up to a thousand years to form just a centimeter of stalactite. It just depends on how fast the droplets of water seep

Many things can change the shape and size of the formations and it is these factors that determine the type of stalagmite. There are three basic formations, the fir cone stalagmite, the dish stack, and gours. Cones are the most common type of stalagmite. The water dripping gently from the ceiling of the cave and forming a small calcite deposit on the floor forms them. Over a period of years, as the water continues to drip, the stalagmite grows ever taller. If the water drips off the ceiling with more force it causes a small amount of erosion in the cave floor. This will form what is known as a dish stack stalagmite. The water splatters outward and the stalagmite grows upward forming a stalagmite that looks similar to a stack of dishes. The center of the formation will also erode slightly and form a small pool of water.

Stalagmites are formed the same way as a stalactite. The biggest difference is that they form on the floor of the cave instead of the ceiling and walls. The shock of the drip hitting the floor causes the calcite to separate from the water droplet. The water either evaporates of flows away. With this constantly happening, the calcite builds up and form many interesting shapes. The shapes can look like plates stacked up or ledges. If you use you imagination you can see many different things created by the droplets.

In the icicle shaped stalactites and bands of color on the drape type.

Occasionally, a stalactite and a stalagmite meet and grow into each other, producing a colu

Some common words found in the essay are:
STALAGMITES Stalactites, Southern Indiana, stalactites stalagmites, Girl Scout, ceiling cave, floor cave, southern indiana, stalagmites stalactites, stalactite stalagmite, stalactites stalagmites stalactites, calcium carbonate deposited, deposits calcite, build calcite, stalagmites formed, stalagmites stalactites stalagmites, cave droplet,
Approximate Word count = 1160
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)