Stalactites or Stalagmites?
By jpso138
@jpso138 (7851)
Philippines
June 30, 2009 10:34am CST
I went to a trip last week for to conduct a training. I had a pleasant accommodation in one of the resort there. One of their attraction is a cave where you can also swim considering that it has water inside and its very cool and very clean. Well, I was looking at this shiny crystals on top of the cave and was thinking about whether its a stalactite or a stalagmite... Well, this guide told me that it is easy to remember as long as you have some guide. stalaCtites are the ones on the top and stalaGmites are those that are on the bottom. Just remember the C for ceiling and G for ground and you will never confuse yourself. Do you find it easy now to remember?
5 responses
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
1 Jul 09
Well, this is in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu Province, Philippines. There is this cave that is very nice with very clear cold water that you can certainly enjoy. Its about 3-4 hours travel from my place. You can take a bus from the Cebu City heading towards the wharf for the island. This would take 2 to 3 hours. After arriving from the wharf, you take an hour boat ride towards the island. A lot of people go there usually for vacation considering that the beaches also has sugary white sands.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
1 Jul 09
sounds beautiful, of course, my roomie wouldn't want to go to the beach, she doesn't do sunshine because she is basically totally blind in bright light
she was there when Clark AFB was open as a child in the 1960's, but I'm sure her folks never got to see places like that
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
I have heard about the place. But I was not able to visit the place when it was still under the U.S. Airforce. Though I have visited it when it during the time when the American servicemen pulled out already. Well best regards to both of you!
1 person likes this
@karl18 (9)
•
28 Apr 10
its really a fun thing if you go caving cause ur like under ocean doing scuba diving cause the stalagmite and the stalactite are blike corals hanging in the caves and you can really appreciate the beauty of a cave hope i can go caving someday with my friends cause its such a wonderfull experience
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
28 Apr 10
Well, I am sure that its fun. I have a lot of people asking me to join them caving. But I haven't got the time to do it. Well, from what I have heard, its also very exciting. I have a friend who have traveled all over the country to visit caves. He has been with such activity for the past 10 years so and so that he is already familiar with most caves. And if there are new ones, he goes there to do mapping on the caves.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
1 Jul 09
Oh my, jpso, that is way too much like work for me to remember their distinction in that way. I just recall their difference in the way a guide taught me years ago while on a cavern tour: Stalactites hold on tight to the ceiling (so the don't fall) and stalagmites grow up mighty from the ground. Simple, and has worked for me all these years; I've never forgotten which is which.
@joyceshookery (2057)
• United States
1 Jul 09
I've wondered about the two formations -- keeping them straight in my mind. Thanks for the handy how-to.
@inkstainedheart (455)
• United States
30 Jun 09
I always remembered the difference because stalactites have to hold on "tight" or they will fall. I really like your trick, too!
