Chemical Weathering

Question 1

Name an example of a karst landscape

Answer 1

Burren, co Clare

Question 2

How is a limestone pavement formed

Answer 2

Rainwater seeps into cracks in limestone, where carbonation dissolves calcium carbonate, widening the joints into grooves called grikes. The solid blocks left between these grooves are known as clints.

Question 3

Name 3 underground limestone features and explain it

Answer 3

Passages: When rivers flow underground, the water dissolves limestone through carbonation. This creates tunnels called passages.

Caves and Caverns: Over time, passages can expand to form larger chambers known as caves or caverns.

Stalactites: These are slender columns of calcite that hang from the ceiling of a cave. They form as water containing dissolved calcium carbonate drips from the roof, evaporates, and leaves behind calcite.