Stalagnate

A Stalagnate or pillar or sinter column is a column from the ceiling to the floor of a limestone cave. It is formed when a stalactite and a stalagmite meet or when a stalactite reaches the floor of the cave. Stalagnates are the late stage[1] of stalactites and stalagmites.

Stalagnate in the Caves of Nerja, Spain

Shapes of stalagnates

Once grown together the water ceases dripping and runs down outside and the stalagnate begins to lose its conical shape. After some time an optical separation of the dripstones is not possible as the stalagnate has changed its form to a cylinder.

References
  1. http://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/Speleothem/Pillar.html Retrieved 2019-06-09
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