stalagmite

Everyday

A stalagmite is a pointed column of rock that grows upwards from the floor of a cave, made by drips of water full of dissolved minerals. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons about caves and limestone; it is usually taught with «stalactite», which hangs down from the ceiling; when the two join they make a column; it grows extremely slowly.

Examples

• A huge stalagmite rose from the cave floor. tree →
• Stalagmites grow upwards as water drips onto them. tree →
• It took thousands of years for the stalagmite to form. tree →
• Please don't touch the stalagmites — oils from your hands harm them. tree →
• The stalactite and the stalagmite met to make a column. tree →
• We drew stalagmites in our cave diagram. tree →

Note

Memory trick: stalaGmites grow from the Ground; stalaCtites hang from the Ceiling (or «tites hold tight to the ceiling, mites might grow up»). Countable.