Elongated mineral formation hanging down from a cave ceiling
For the elongate mineral formation found on a cave floor, see Stalagmite.
Image showing the six most common speleothems with labels. Enlarge to view labels.
A stalactite (UK: /ˈstæləkˌtaɪt/, US: /stəˈlæktaɪt/; from Ancient Greek σταλακτός (stalaktós) 'dripping', from σταλάσσειν (stalássein) 'to drip')[1] is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as bridges and mines. Any material that is soluble and that 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).[2][3] A stalactite is not necessarily a speleothem, though speleothems are the most common form of stalactite because of the abundance of limestone caves.[2][4]
The corresponding formation on the floor of the cave is known as a stalagmite.
^"stalactite". Oxford Dictionary. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-01 – via Lexico.com.
^ ab
Larson, Charles (1993). An Illustrated Glossary of Lava Tube Features, Bulletin 87, Western Speleological Survey. p. 56.
^Hicks, Forrest L. (1950). "Formation and mineralogy of stalactites and stalagmites" (PDF). 12: 63–72. Retrieved 2013-07-08. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^"How Caves Form". Nova (American TV series). Retrieved 2013-07-01.
A stalactite (UK: /ˈstæləkˌtaɪt/, US: /stəˈlæktaɪt/; from Ancient Greek σταλακτός (stalaktós) 'dripping', from σταλάσσειν (stalássein) 'to drip') is a...
Ice stalactite may refer to: Ice stalactites – a stalactite ice formation in a cave Brinicle – an icicle forming under sea ice This disambiguation page...
but long stalactites with an elongated cylindrical shape rather than the usual more conical shape of stalactites Helictites are stalactites that have...
cave's most notable feature is the Great Stalactite. This is one of the world's longest known free-hanging stalactites, reported to be 7.3 m (24 ft) in length...
corresponding formation hanging down from the ceiling of a cave is a stalactite. The most common stalagmites are speleothems, which usually form in limestone...
other niches. It is sometimes referred to as "honeycomb vaulting" or "stalactite vaulting". The muqarnas structure originated from the squinch. Its purpose...
structures and mimic the shapes and forms of cave speleothems, such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone etc. Calthemite is derived from the Latin calx...
cavern system is adorned with speleothems such as columns, mud flows, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and mirrored pools. The caverns host the Great...
The site comprises two caves, called 'Banwell Bone Cave' and 'Banwell Stalactite Cave', which lie within the grounds of a large house, at the western end...
system on the Indian subcontinent, known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries...
outpost. The Great Stalactite, measuring 7.3 metres, was discovered in 1952. According to the Doolin Cave website, it is the largest stalactite in the Northern...
A brinicle (brine icicle, also known as ice stalactite) is a downward-growing hollow tube of ice enclosing a plume of descending brine that is formed beneath...
The Eberstadt Stalactite Cave (or Eberstadter Tropfsteinhöhle) is a German show cave located in Bauland at the transition of Southeastern Odenwald forest...
the Quaternary glaciation when sea levels were much lower. Analysis of stalactites found in the Great Blue Hole shows that formation took place 153,000...
be made into flutes. Reed Flute Cave is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations. Inside, there are more than 70...
is operated by a custom console that produces the tapping of ancient stalactites of varying sizes with solenoid-actuated rubber mallets in order to produce...
blind arcades supporting a huge "stone tent" structure of the type of the stalactite vaults. The "stone tent" would have reached a height of about 6 meters...
Growths from the roof downward formed through this process are known as stalactites. Additionally, water on the floor of the caverns can contain carbonic...
mine is 112 metres (367 ft). A "cascade of salt", an underground lake, stalactites, and salt efflorescences complete the inert equilibrium of the giant...
hydrometallurgy regulation standards and innovation. Slice through a double stalactite, from Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Size 5.9 × 3.9 × 0.7 cm...
of a hollow mineral cylindrical tube. They are also known as tubular stalactites. Soda straws grow in places where water leaches slowly through cracks...
noted by John Rutty on Howth Head, among other locations. Speleothem Stalactite Stalagmite Rutty, John (1757) A Methodical Synopsis of Mineral Waters...
flowers are rare stalactites of curling fibers of halite that are found in certain arid caves of Australia's Nullarbor Plain. Halite stalactites and encrustations...
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