Which water is responsible for the formation of stalactites and stalagmites?
The Agent of Carbonation (CO2 & H2O) when reacts with calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate changes to calcium bicarbonate when carbonic acid reacts with limestone. Stalactites and Stalagmites are generally formed in a limestone cave.
How do stalactites grow?
Stalactites grow down from the cave ceiling, while stalagmites grow up from the cave floor. As the carbon dioxide is released, calcite is precipitated (redeposited) on cave walls, ceilings and floors. As the redeposited minerals build up after countless water drops, a stalactite is formed.
Which process most likely caused this cave of stalactites to form?
Stalactites grow due to the secretion of calcite from the evaporation of water droplets hanging from the ceiling of a thin film of water that drench the rock, and the sudden release of CO2 from the water saturated in Ca bicarbonate in the moment of impact of water droplets that cap in a cave.
Can stalactites be made of ice?
Ice stalactites Water seepage from the surface will penetrate into a cave and if temperatures are below freezing, the water will form stalactites. They can also be formed by the freezing of water vapor. Ice stalactites can also form under sea ice when saline water is introduced to ocean water.
Which agent is responsible for the formation of stalactites and stalagmites *?
On the cave floor or in a pile, usually, more calcite is left by the water from the end of the stalactite. And this usually results in the formation of stalagmite.
How long does it take for stalactites to grow?
Limestone stalactites form extremely slowly – usually less than 10cm every thousand years – and radiometric dating has shown that some are over 190,000 years old. Stalactites can also form by a different chemical process when water drips through concrete, and this is much faster.
How long do stalactites take to grow?
Can stalactites form underwater?
In recent years, researchers have identified a small group of stalactites that appear to have calcified underwater instead of in a dry cave. The “Hells Bells” in the El Zapote cave near Puerto Morelos on the Yucatán Peninsula are just such formations.
Is stalactite a living thing?
Living things usually grow during their life cycle. Note that the word “grow” refers also to non-living things which can get larger. Examples are crystals, stalactites, and stalagmites. Many living things move on their own although some, like plants, do not.
Which agent is responsible for formation of stalactites and Stalacgmites * 1 point groundwater waterfall river?
Groundwater is responsible for formation of stalactites and stalagmites. In areas of limestone, the alkaline water seeps at the top of the limestone caves.
What do you call the formations that rise up from the cave floor at Carlsbad Caverns?
speleothems
The magnificent speleothems (cave formations) that continue to grow and decorate Carlsbad Cavern are due to rain and snowmelt soaking through limestone rock, then eventually dripping into a cave below and evaporating.