Limestone Flashcards
Where can limestone be found
The Burren
Yorkshire dales
North Yorkshire moors
Pean District
Brecon Beacons
Whats Carbonation
It is when carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is dissolved into rain water which forms a weak carbonic acid. This acid then reacts with the limestone and dissolves it
Whats solution
When the dissolved limestone is moved away from where it was dissolved
Abrasion
Rocks rubbing together like sandpaper
Whats freeze thaw
This is when water gets into the cracks of the rock and then freezes before melting again and relaxing. Over time this breaks off chunks of rock
Whats formed at the bottom of cliffs
Scree slopes
Whats an example of a swallow hole
Gaping gill
How are swallow holes formed
As the water moves over the limestone it slowly dissolves it through solution/carbonation. This widens the cracks and can create holes on the surface. The swallow holes can be many metres deep leading to a series of underground features.
What are resurgent streams
They are water which has travelled down through permeable limestone. It then reappears when it meets impermeable rock which it cant flow through. At this point the stream flows over the impermeable rock until it reappears at the surface as a spring. When it reappears its called a resurgent stream.