Mathematical Rules for Stalactite Growth
- Thread starter legendrider
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No mention of helictites, though
phys.org
The mathematics reveals one of nature's hidden blueprints: stalagmites grow into flat-topped pedestals, classical columns, or pointed cones not by chance, but according to a single controlling factor—the Damköhler number—which represents a balance between the rates of calcite precipitation and the flow of water.
When dripping is concentrated and steady, a columnar form emerges, while spread-out dripping produces flat tops. When the flow rate is high or when water drips...
Drip by drip: Research provides first complete mathematical description of stalagmite shapes
Deep inside caves, water dripping from the ceiling creates one of nature's most iconic formations: stalagmites. These pillars of calcite, ranging from centimeters to many meters in height, rise from the cave floor as drip after drip of mineral-rich water deposits a tiny layer of stone.
The mathematics reveals one of nature's hidden blueprints: stalagmites grow into flat-topped pedestals, classical columns, or pointed cones not by chance, but according to a single controlling factor—the Damköhler number—which represents a balance between the rates of calcite precipitation and the flow of water.
When dripping is concentrated and steady, a columnar form emerges, while spread-out dripping produces flat tops. When the flow rate is high or when water drips...
braveduck
Active member
Many years ago a new section of lead mine near to Stump Cross was opened up for exploration . Quite bit of history to it was available to it that when the miners broke in expecting lots of Lead all they found was cave and lots of stalagmites. In their anger they smashed the stalagmites.
So when we went in soon after it was found we discovered lots of smashed stalactites . But the odd thing was they were not full of concentric rings ,they had recrystalized into Iceland Spar cubic crystals . So whatever the rules are ,nature will always break them !
So when we went in soon after it was found we discovered lots of smashed stalactites . But the odd thing was they were not full of concentric rings ,they had recrystalized into Iceland Spar cubic crystals . So whatever the rules are ,nature will always break them !
