Which features are formed at the base of a cave due to mineral deposits?

The formation of stalagmites occurs at the base of a cave as a result of mineral deposits from dripping water. When water that is rich in calcium carbonate seeps through the cave ceiling, it leaves behind deposits as it drips down. Over time, these deposits accumulate and build up from the ground, creating the formations known as stalagmites.

This process begins when stalactites form on the ceiling of the cave. As the stalactites grow, water continues to drip from their tips onto the floor, where stalagmites gradually develop. The ongoing process of evaporation and mineral deposition contributes to the growth of these structures. The distinctive shape of stalagmites, often wider and more rounded at the top than at the bottom, sets them apart as unique geological features within caves.

The other options mentioned, such as stalactites, are formed from the same mineral deposits but grow downwards from the ceiling, while columns are formed when stalactites and stalagmites meet, and dripstones are a broader category that includes both stalactites and stalagmites. Therefore, stalagmites are specifically characterized as the features that build up at the base of a cave due to dripping mineral-rich water.