A cone-shaped deposit of minerals hanging from the ceiling of a cave, formed by dripping water containing dissolved limestone or other minerals. Grows downward from the cave roof.
From Greek 'stalaktos' meaning 'dripping,' from 'stalassein' (to drip). The term was coined by scientists in the 17th century who observed how these formations were created by continuous dripping.
Stalactites grow incredibly slowly – about the thickness of a sheet of paper per year! Some in Carlsbad Caverns are over 500,000 years old, meaning they started forming before modern humans existed.
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