Answer
Stalactites and stalagmites form in caverns through the deposition of minerals from dripping water. Water containing dissolved calcium carbonate (calcite) drips from the ceiling of the cavern, leaving behind a tiny mineral deposit as the water evaporates. Over time, these mineral deposits build up to form elongated structures. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, while stalagmites grow upward from the cave floor. Both formations are composed of calcite and grow at a slow rate, typically a few millimeters per year.
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