What natural process creates dripstones in caves?

Dripstones, also known as stalactites and stalagmites, are formed through a natural process involving water dripping inside of caves. When rainwater seeps into the ground, it can dissolve carbon dioxide, turning into a weak carbonic acid. As this acidic water enters the cave and drips from the ceiling, it deposits minerals such as calcite as it evaporates. Over time, these mineral deposits build up in the shape of icicle-like formations hanging from the ceiling (stalactites) and growing upwards from the cave floor (stalagmites). This process is primarily driven by the ongoing interaction between water, carbon dioxide, and limestone, which is abundant in many cave systems.

The other options—glacial erosion, wind erosion, and lava cooling—are not related to the formation of dripstones. Glacial erosion involves the shaping of landscapes by glaciers, wind erosion refers to the wearing down of surfaces by wind, and lava cooling leads to formations associated with volcanic activity rather than mineral deposition in cave environments.