stalactite
Ceiling mineral formation
A stalactite is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of a cave, created over thousands of years as water drips through rock and deposits dissolved minerals.
Stalactites grow downward like icicles: The cave was filled with stalactites glistening in the lamplight.
The companion formation growing upward from the floor is a stalagmite.
Large natural underground chamber
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
speleology · spelunking · spelunker · caver · exploration · darkness · echo · humidity
Vertical structural element
- flowstoneCalcite sheet from seepage
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
- draperyOrnamental hanging cloth
- baconCured smoked pork
moonmilk · boxwork · calcification · crystallization · deposition · accretion · precipitation · growth
cavern
Large natural underground chamber
- grottoSmall scenic cavern
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
chamber · speleology · spelunking · spelunker · caver · exploration · darkness · echo · humidity · bat
column
Vertical structural element
bacon · moonmilk · boxwork · calcification · crystallization · deposition · accretion · precipitation · growth · drip
aragonite
Calcium carbonate crystal form
carbonate · crystalline · travertine · dolomite · limestone · marble · chalk · tufa · sinter · mineralogy
icicle
Hanging frozen water spike
winter · crystal · drip · conical · pointed · hanging · tapering · elongated · glassy · translucent
- cave formationsstalagmites, flowstone, soda straw, soda straws, draperies
- concretionsnodule, geode, pearl, calcification, mineral deposit
- natural structuresmountain, volcano, cave, canyon, valley
- cavescave, cavern, caves, caverns, grotto
- earth scienceatmosphere, earthquake, geology, volcano, crust
- hanging thingspendant light, wind chime, dreamcatcher, hanging plant, hanging basket