Stalactites hang from the ceiling of caves. What process creates them?

Stalactites are formed through the process of mineral precipitation, which occurs as dripping water from the ceiling of a cave loses carbon dioxide into the air. This reduction in carbon dioxide lowers the water's capacity to hold calcium carbonate, causing the calcium carbonate to crystallize and deposit on the ceiling over time.

While carbonation-solution is a closely related process that involves the dissolution of limestone caused by carbonic acid, it primarily refers to the mechanism that leads to the creation of caves and the solution of minerals. However, stalactites themselves result from the precipitation of minerals as the water drips and evaporates, so mineral precipitation is the fundamental process that defines the formation of stalactites.

In summary, as the water drips from the cave ceiling, it is through the process of mineral precipitation that stalactites gradually grow, highlighting the importance of this geological process in cave formations.