The stalactites and stalagmites are as follows:
1. Stalactites:
Stalactites, also known as stalactites, refer to the long and long interior of caves in carbonate rock areas. A general term for calcium carbonate deposits of different forms such as stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars formed in geological history and under specific geological conditions.
The formation of stalactites often takes tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of years. Due to their long formation time, stalactites have important research value for ancient geological investigations. Guangxi and Yunnan are the main provinces and regions with the richest stalactite resources in my country. The stalactites they produce are shiny and unique in shape. They have high appreciation and collection value and are deeply loved by people.
2. Stalagmites:
Stalagmites are calcium carbonate limestone and are pointed cones located at the bottom of caves. They are a natural phenomenon in karst terrain.
Stalagmites are made of water full of calcium carbonate that drips from cracks in the cave ceiling or from stalactites to the bottom of the cave. On the one hand, due to the evaporation of water, on the other hand, due to the sometimes high temperature in the cave, the water The amount of dissolved carbon dioxide decreases, so calcium precipitates and deposits at the bottom of the cave.
Over time, stalagmites grow from bottom to top, and stalactites grow from top to bottom. Stalagmites are shaped like bamboo shoots when unearthed, growing from bottom to top. Stalagmites and stalactites grow slowly, reaching about one meter in 10,000 years.
The difference between stalactites and stalagmites:
1. Different growth directions:
The formation process of stalactites and stalagmites is the same, but one from top to bottom Down, one grows from bottom to top.
2. Different growth rates:
Stalactites are calcium carbonate precipitates formed after a long history of mineral deposition. The formation process of stalactites takes at least tens of thousands of years. At that time, stalactites and stalagmites were formed through the same process, and the average annual growth rate of stalactites was 0.13 mm. Since stalagmites are formed from water droplets in the lower part of stalactites, they grow even more slowly.
3. Different locations:
Stalactites and stalagmites both exist in caves in carbonate rock areas, but their growth directions are different, which determines whether stalactites exist Those on the rocks at the top of the cave need to look up to see them; while the stalagmites are located underground in the cave and can only be seen by looking down.