Ohio History
 |
| Stalactite vs. Stalagmite |
Here are a couple larger crystals, still on those rock shelves I described. Do you know the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite? Truth to be told, I didn't until our tour; now I don't think I shall ever forget them. As our tour guide said, stalactites hang tight from the ceiling; stalagmites might reach the roof someday. So the stalactites hang down; the stalagmites grow up. I wonder how long it will take the one above to reach the ceiling. Will the stalactite reach the floor first?
 |
| Columns of Crystal |
There was one more kind of crystal formation we saw as well: columns. I suppose the little columns in the picture above are stalactites that have reached the floor (or stalagmites that have reached the roof?). In this particular picture it almost looks like someone has squirted caulk all around the top of the crystals and it's oozing and dripping out! Or is that well-done upside-down meringues?
1 comment:
The stalactites almost look like icicles, although they must take much longer to form.
Post a Comment