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What is the formation process of stalactites in caves?
When the underground water rich in calcium bicarbonate leaks from the cave roof, (due to the increase of temperature and the decrease of pressure, carbon dioxide in the water escapes), calcium bicarbonate in the water precipitates, and calcium carbonate deposits on the cave roof to form stalactites.

The chemical reaction between carbonic acid and calcium carbonate in water is reversible. After the cave was formed, the water in the rock infiltrated into the cave. Due to the change of temperature and pressure, the concentration of calcium ions in the water was too high, resulting in an inverse reaction, that is, the calcium ions in the water reacted with bicarbonate to generate water, carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate.

These calcium carbonate deposits on the roof, wall and bottom of the cave, forming various forms of stalactites. Due to different hydrodynamic forces and different sedimentary sites, stalactites have formed various types, mainly including stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, goose tubes, stone flags, stone shields, stone curtains, rolled stones, kerbs, cloud basins, calcium tablets, cave beads, crystal flowers and so on. , and their combinations.

Extended data

Karst caves are the general names of various geological functions, forms and phenomena produced by soluble rocks under the action of water. Soluble rocks are divided into insoluble carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite), moderately soluble sulfate rocks (gypsum rocks and mirabilite rocks) and easily soluble halide rocks (salt rocks). These rocks or minerals are dissolved or precipitated with the participation of water, thus forming various geological processes and phenomena.

These geological processes can form colorful karst cave landscapes on the surface or underground, which not only benefits human beings, but also affects human activities, and becomes a bad geological phenomenon of artificial buildings.

Karst caves may cause ground collapse, and the result of collapse is ground deformation and destruction caused by human activities, and artificial structures lose stability and use value. The cave that has not collapsed will affect the construction of the proposed artificial structure. For example, the existence of karst caves in highway, railway and water conservancy projects will increase the risk of construction projects, or pose a threat to the water storage capacity of bridge piles and built reservoirs.

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