Carboniferous Limestone In The Yorkshire Dales

Question 1

Where is limestone mainly found in the UK?

Answer 1

Limestone is mainly found in 2 national parks in the UK. The Yorkshire Dales and The Peak District are these 2 national parks

Question 2

How is limestone weathered?

Answer 2

Limestone is weathered by a process called solution. This process forms distinctive landscapes above and below ground.

Question 3

What is the solution process?

Answer 3

The solution process is where rain absorbs CO2 (a.k.a Carbon Dioxide.)
This forms the carbonic acid H2CO3. This weak acid will slowly dissolve limestone to produce exotic features. The process has 3 names.

Question 4

What are the 3 names for solution?

Answer 4

The 3 names for solution are:
Chemical solution
Limestone solution
Carbonation

Question 5

What is a limestone pavement? Give an example where a limestone pavement can be found

Answer 5

A limestone pavement is a sheet of limestone made up with joints (grykes) and blocks (clints). A limestone pavement can be found in Malham in the Yorkshire Dales

Question 6

Give 3 characteristics of a limestone landscape

Answer 6

Thin soils
Caves
Sinkholes

Question 7

What are some uses of limestone?

Answer 7

Possible answers:
Toothpaste
Cement
Paper
Road building

Question 8

What are staligmites, stalactites and pillars?

Answer 8

A staligmite is a dripstone finger made of limestone that rises from the floor of a cave/cavern
A stalactite is a dripstone finger made of limestone that descends from the roof of a cave/cavern
A pillar is what is made if a stalactite and a staligmite join together

Question 9

How are stalactites/staligmites formed?

Answer 9

Stalactites/staligmites are formed when acid rain soaks into the ground and dissolves the calcium carbonate in the rock. The rain then becomes laced with calcium carbonate and when it reaches the cavern it evaporates. This keeps repeating itself and the calcium carbonate eventually builds up on the roof to form a stalactite or on the floor to form a staligmite.

Question 10

How is a limestone curtain formed?

Answer 10

A limestone curtain is formed when the acidic solution runs down the walls of the cavern

Question 11

Give 2 land and economic uses of limestone areas (Malham)

Answer 11

Possible answers:
Contains scenery above and below ground (national parks and White Scar Caves)
Produces short grass due to infertile soil. Ideal for sheep grazing
Good building material (houses of parliament and St.Paul’s Cathedral
Helps fertilize acidic soil

Question 12

Where are the Yorkshire Dales?

Answer 12

The Yorkshire Dales are located in the north of England