Nature does not cease to amaze us; there are so many unusual and interesting things in the world that, upon seeing them, a person freezes with delight. Traveling around the planet and visiting all the sights, finding out about all kinds of plants and animals is almost impossible, but still some natural monuments are found in many countries, which allows a large number of people to get to know them.
The extraordinary creations of nature include stalactites and stalagmites. Karst caves are in many states, so curious tourists can easily satisfy their curiosity and explore them from the inside. You should not go far away, since such a miracle exists in Russia, Ukraine, stalactites and stalagmites of amazing beauty are located in Israel, China, and 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 both are formed from calcium and other minerals. Even in the highest rocky caves there are small crevices through which water penetrates inward. Since atmospheric precipitation needs to go a very long way until you can get into the cave, then on their way they wash away the existing mineral deposits. Water never runs in a stream: since the hole is too small, it flows in small droplets.
Stalactites in Greek means "flowing drop by drop." This is nothing but chemogenic deposits in karst caves. They come in different types and types, mainly icicles, combs, straws and fringe. Stalagmite in Greek means "drop", it is a mineral growths on the earth, rising over time in the form of cones or columns. They can be limestone, salt or gypsum. The main difference between these two growths is that stalactites grow from the ceiling, and stalagmites from the bottom of the cave.
Stalactites and stalagmites in some cases can connect, turning into a column called a stalagnate. This may take thousands or even millions of years, because these huge lumps grow out of billions of small droplets. Most quickly, this process takes place in low caves. It can be impossible to go there because of the densely pointed pillars.
Karst caves are considered a favorite place for tourists to visit. People are interested in looking at stalactites and stalagmites, taking pictures next to them, touching them with their hands. Being close 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 cave of Las Villas, 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 giants, Thus, in Slovakia, a stalagmite 35.6 m high was found in the Buzgo cave.
Stalactites and stalagmites are of the same origin, although they look different. The former are thinner and sleeker, while the latter are thicker and wider.
