Stalactite
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A stalactite is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as bridges and mines. Any material that is soluble and that can be deposited as a col
Image showing the six most common speleothems with labels. Enlarge to view labels.
Pillars in the Caves of Nerja, Spain
Shark tooth stalactites
Ice stalactites on the gutter of a house
Soda straw
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A soda straw is a speleothem in the form of a hollow mineral cylindrical tube. They are also known as tubular stalactites. Soda straws grow in places where water leaches slowly through cracks in rock,
Straws (stalactite precursors) in Gardner's Gut cave in New Zealand
A soda straw
Calthemite straw with varying external diameter, influenced by changes in drip rate over time, during its growth