A stalagmite is a type of formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves and hot springs.

The statement from the question describes a stalactite, not a stalagmite. A stalagmite, on the contrary, rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings. This natural phenomenon creates amazing formations, which look unearthly and enigmatic, just like some works of art.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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96 Comments

Lorna Lake

Many years ago, I had a teacher who taught us a mnemonic which was g = ground and c = ceiling .. as in stalagmites and stalactites .. I have mnemonics for all sorts of things that I understand no other way!

Jeff Overton

An easy way to remember : stalagmite stands mighty on the floor stalagtite hangs tight to the top.

Nickey Welsh

I was taught 'Tights come down' Mites crawl up.

rosemarymee

Stalagmites mount up. Stalagtites mean tights come down....

markkcolemann

ILorna Lake, I have a feeling that we had different teachers that taught the same way 👍😂

elizawheeler

If a stalactite doesn't hold on tight, it might become a stalagmite.

mapiferuk

Lorna Lake, excellent mnemonic, what a pity it only works in English

✨KRISTA✨

Good one Mr. Cowell!💕

Carl Belken

The ones at Onadaga and Meremac Caverns in Missouri are quite impressive.

earlepg

Warren Domke, That's the way I see it, quick and easy.

earlepg

Jenny Devereaux, That's near what I came up with mysekf one day (the stalagtite hangs tight to the ceiling). No need to remember anythjng about the stalagmite since it just sits there.

Lorna Shipton

I was taught that stalagtites cling tight to the roof, and stalagmites might reach the roof

Deborah Gabriel

Good question and answer. I thought they had the same name. Learned something!

Kelvin Croker

The way I like to remember the difference is with the most prominent and different letters in each of their names. That is the M in stalagmites and the T in stalactites and note the fact that those 2 letters look like what they represent.