After the water table is lowered due to changing geologic conditions, further seepage of water into the now open cave system results in the deposition of stalactites (icicle like stones) where the water drips into the cave. If water is absent from the floor of the cave stalagmites form where the water drips on the floor of the cave. Both stalactites and stalagmites are composed of newly precipitated calcite, initially dissolved from the limestone above, carried in the groundwater, and re-precipitated when the water reaches a low pressure area like a cave.