New Geography in Action Junior Cycle Geography Stalactites
As the water seeps through the rock, it carries dissolved limestone with it. Some of this water eventually reaches the roof of a cave or a cavern below ground.
• The drops slowly evaporate and leave behind small deposits of pure limestone called calcite.
• Gradually the calcite builds up to form icicle-like shapes called stalactites, which hang from the roof.
Stalagmites
Drops of water may also seep through the rock and fall on the ground.
• This water evaporates and leaves deposits of calcite on the floor of the cave directly below the stalactites.
• The calcite builds up, forming upside-down icicle-like shapes called stalagmites.
Pillars
After thousands of years a stalactite and a stalagmite can meet and join, resulting in the formation of a pillar or column.
Cavern Limestone Stalactites Pillar ( Figure 6.11 Underground features Top Tip
Here’s a little trick to help you remember which is which. The ‘g’ in stalagmite stands for ground and the ‘c’ in stalactite stands for ceiling.
Exam Toolkit
Apply this formula to help you answer long questions on physical geography in your exam.
D – E – P – E –D
Description – Example – Processes – Explanation – Diagram
Try to remember this by using a sentence that contains each first letter, for example:
Do Eat Porridge Each Day.
Stalagmites Impermeable rock Surface stream Swallow holes
