//The Forces of Weathering Flashcards

1
Q

Burren Co.Clare

A
  • Rare and famous karst area (soluble limestone exposed to surface)
  • Attracts geographers, cavers, tourists
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2
Q

Denudation

A

-The weathering and erosion of rocks
Weathering: breakdown + decay
Erosion: breakdown + removal

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3
Q

Mechanical weathering:

Freeze-thaw action

A

Day: Water collects in cracks
Night: –0C + water freezes and expands by 10%
Repeat: strain on rock = split and broken

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4
Q

Chemical weathering:

Carbonation

A
  • Rain water contains carbon dioxide which forms a weak carbonic acid- reacts with calcium carbonate in rock = decay + widens cracks in pavement to form clints and grikes
  • Permeable limestone
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5
Q

How are stalactites and stalagmites formed

A

Stalagtites: Drops of water containing dissolved limestone attaches to the ceiling
Stalgmites: drops fall to the floor and stack forms

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6
Q

Underground features of limestone

A

Passages: tunnels formed by carbonation
Caves/caverns: Large passages
Pillars: stalagmites, stalactites meeting

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7
Q

Surface landforms/features

A

-Limestone pavement = clints and grikes
Grikes: Grooves in pavement from carbonation
Clints: limestone blocks separating grikes

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