noun
- formations of calcium carbonate that hang from cave ceilings (stalactites) or rise from cave floors (stalagmites), created by dripping mineral-rich water
Usage: geology
Examples
- The cave was filled with beautiful dripstones that had formed over thousands of years.
- Tourists marveled at the massive dripstones hanging from the cavern ceiling.
- The guide explained how dripstones develop from mineral deposits in groundwater.
- Some dripstones in the cave had grown tall enough to connect floor and ceiling.
- The limestone cave contained spectacular dripstones of various shapes and sizes.
- Scientists study dripstones to learn about ancient climate conditions.