Stalagmites Adhere to a Single Mathematical Rule
Scientists have discovered that all stalagmites growing from cave floors follow a mathematical rule that explains their development into different shapes.
"It turns out that the rich diversity of stalagmite shapes can be explained by one simple parameter,"
said study co-author Piotr Szymczak, a physicist at the University of Warsaw. This finding could help scientists extract more accurate data about past climate conditions.
The new mathematical descriptions provide a rare case where natural beauty corresponds directly to a clean mathematical law.
Author's summary: Scientists find a single mathematical rule for stalagmite growth.
- Stalagmites follow a mathematical rule explaining their shape development.
- The discovery could help extract accurate data about past climate conditions.