How do stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drip curtains, and ...

[stevenposner]

How do stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drip curtains, and travertine terraces form? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How do caves and caverns form? What will be an ideal response?

[kxciann]

Answer to Question 1

Stalactites are icicle-like structures that hang from the ceiling due to precipitation from dripping water.
Each drop leaves a thin layer of calcite over the previous layer, so the structure grows down from the
ceiling. Stalagmites grow upward from the floor from small drops that come off the stalactite. A
column forms when a stalagmite and stalactite meet. A drip curtain is created by water seeping from a
crack in the caves ceiling to form a vertical sheet of rock. Water flowing along the cave's floor can
produce travertine terraces.

Answer to Question 2

Groundwater percolating through the zone of aeration dissolves the carbonate rock and enlarges its
fractures and bedding planes. On reaching the water table, the groundwater migrates to the surface.
The groundwater continues to dissolve rock in the zone of saturation and forms a system of horizontal
passageways. The surface streams erode deeper, the water table drops, and a new set of passageways
begin to form. The water abandons the channel ways and leaves a set of caves and caverns

[stevenposner]

Thank you

[kxciann]

Happy to help you