Nature does not cease to surprise us, there are so many unusual and interesting things in the world that, seeing them, a man stops with delight. It's almost impossible to travel around the entire 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.
To the extraordinary creations of nature can be attributed stalactites and stalagmites. Karst caves are in many states, so curious tourists can easily satisfy their curiosity and examine them from the inside. It is not worth traveling to the far end of the world, since such a miracle exists in Russia, Ukraine, the delicious beauty of stalactites and stalagmites are in Israel, China, Slovakia.
Their size and shape depends on the size of the cave and its location. Many people are interested in the question of the difference between stalactites and stalagmites. It should be noted that both are formed from calcium and other minerals. Even in the highest stony caves there are small cracks through which water penetrates. Because the precipitation needs to go a very long way, while you can get to the cave, then on their way they wash out the existing mineral deposits. Water never runs a stream: because the hole is too small, it comes in small droplets.
Stalactites in translation from the Greek language mean "dripping by drop." It is nothing but a chemical deposit in karst caves. They come in different types and types, mostly icicles, combs, straws and fringe. Stalagmite in Greek means "drop", it is the mineral outgrowths on the ground that rise with time as cones or pillars. They can be limestone, hydrochloric or gypsum. The main difference between these two build-ups is that stalactites grow from the ceiling, and stalagmites from the bottom of the cave.
In some cases, the stalactites and stalagmites can join, having turned into a column called stalagnate. It may take thousands, or even millions of years, since these huge blocks grow from billions of small droplets. Most quickly this process takes place in low caves. There it is impossible to pass because of densely set up pillars.
Karst caves are considered a favorite destination for tourists. People are interested in looking at stalactites and stalagmites, taking photos with them, touching them with their hands. Being near 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, the highest stalagmite on the planet was found in the cave of Las Villas, its height reaches 63 m. The largest stalactite is the stone icicle hanging in the Brugge-do-Janelão, Brazil, its height is 32 m. Europe also has its own giants, Thus, in Slovakia, in the cave of Buzgo, a stalagmite with a height of 35.6 m was found.
Stalactites and stalagmites have one origin, although they look different. The first are more delicate and elegant, and the second - thick and wide.