Nature never ceases to amaze us, there are so many unusual and interesting things in the world that, seeing them, a person freezes with delight. It is almost impossible to travel the whole planet and see all the sights, learn about all kinds of plants and animals, but still some natural monuments are found in many countries, which allows a large number of people to get to know them.
Stalactites and stalagmites can be attributed to the extraordinary creations of nature. There are karst caves in many states, so inquisitive tourists can easily satisfy their curiosity and inspect them from the inside. You should not go to distant lands, because such a miracle exists in Russia, Ukraine, amazingly beautiful stalactites and stalagmites are in Israel, China, Slovakia.
Their size and shape depends on the size of the cave and its location. Many are interested in the question of how stalactites and stalagmites differ. It is worth noting that thoseand others are formed from calcium and other minerals. Even in the highest rocky caves there are small gaps through which water enters. Since precipitation has a very long way to go before it can get into the cave, on its way they wash out the existing mineral deposits. Water never runs in a stream: because the hole is too small, it comes in small droplets.
Stalactites in Greek means "leaked drop by drop". This is nothing but chemogenic deposits in karst caves. They come in different types and types, mainly icicles, combs, straws and fringes. Stalagmite in Greek means "drop", these are mineral growths on the ground that rise over time in the form of cones or pillars. They can be limestone, s alt or gypsum. The main difference between these two growths is that stalactites grow from the ceiling, while stalagmites grow from the bottom of the cave.
Stalactites and stalagmites can in some cases join together to form a column called a stalagnate. This may take thousands, or even millions of years, because these huge blocks grow from billions of small droplets. This process takes place most quickly in low caves. It can be impossible to pass there because of the densely set pillars.
Karst caves are considered a favorite place to visit for tourists. People are interested in looking at stalactites and stalagmites,take a picture next to them, touch them with your hand. Being next to this miracle of nature, you understand that it existed hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago and has survived to this day. In Cuba, in the Las Villas cave, the highest stalagmite on the planet was discovered, its height reaches 63 m. The largest stalactite is considered to be a stone icicle hanging in Gruga do Janelao in Brazil, its height is 32 m. Europe also has its own giants, for example, in Slovakia in the Buzgo cave, a stalagmite 35.6 m high was found.
Stalactites and stalagmites have the same origin, although they look different. The former are thinner and more graceful, while the latter are thick and wide.
