Stalagmite

What is a Stalagmite?

A stalagmite is a beautiful rock shape that grows up from the floor of a cave. It starts when water with tiny bits of minerals drips from the ceiling. Over many, many years, these minerals build up on the floor, making the stalagmite taller and taller.

Stalagmites and Stalactites

Stalagmites are often found with stalactites. Stalactites hang down from the ceiling, while stalagmites grow up from the floor. Sometimes, they meet in the middle and form a tall column, like a pillar.

Learning from Stalagmites

Scientists and explorers love to study stalagmites. The layers in these rocks can tell us about Earth’s past. They show us how much rain fell and what the temperatures were thousands of years ago. This helps us learn about our planet’s history and how caves are formed.