Question

What are stalagmites and stalactites? How are they formed?

Answer 1

• In some limestone caves, we sometimes see conical pillar-like objects hanging from the roof of the caves and some rising from the floors. These conical pillars which grow upward from the floor of the caves are known as stalagmites, and the structures which grow downwards from the roof are called stalactites. [1.5 Marks]
• These structures are formed by water dropping from the cracks in the rocks containing calcium hydrogen carbonate. Calcium hydrogen carbonate converts to calcium carbonate when pressure is released. Over some time, calcium carbonate deposits to form stalagmites and stalactites. [1.5 Marks]