limestone

Question 1

limestone pavements

Answer 1

Limestone is a sedimentary rock made from dead organisms. Limestone is made of calcium carbonate and is permeable. Water flows through their joints and the horizontal bedding planes. Chemical weathering widens these cracks which creates clints (blocks) and grikes (gaps)

Question 2

swallow hole

Answer 2

Limestone is a permeable rock, emphasising water can flow through. Rainwater picks up carbon dioxide from the air as it percolates through the soil, creating weak acid. This acidic water flows into the joints and horizontal bedding planes, dissolving the limestone. Over time the gaps which is also known as grikes widens to form a swallow hole where the river disappears

Question 3

caves

Answer 3

A cave is produced by the dissolution of limestone. Rainwater picks up carbon dioxide as it percolates through the soil, creating weak acid. This is known as chemical weathering and the acidic water will seep into the joints and horizontal bedding planes which will dissolve the limestone and over time, the cracks will widen and a cave forms underground.

Question 4

stalactites, stalagmites and pillars

Answer 4

A Stalactite Is created inside a cave and it is formed by dripping water evaporating and depositing its calcium carbonate forming a stalactite hanging down. When the Stalactite deposits its material it will build up on the ground which will create a stalagmite. Overtime the Stalactite and Stalagmite will join together to form a pillar

Question 5

intermittent drainage

Answer 5

Intermittent drainage is when a stream disappears through the permeable limestone it travels underground through a complex series of caves. It then makes its way down to a level of impermeable rocks. The stream flows over the impermeable rock until it reaches the surface as a spring.