Karst Landscapes

Question 1

With reference to an Irish landscape, examine the processes, which have influenced the development of any underground feature in a Karst landscape (30m)

Answer 1

See notes

Question 2

Define karst landscape

Answer 2

A distinctive landscape with areas of exposed limestone

Question 3

Define limestone pavement

Answer 3

Large flat area of exposed limestone rock that has its soil cover removed

Question 4

Define clint

Answer 4

Flat topped residual blocks that separate grikes

Question 5

Define grikes

Answer 5

Joints that have been widened and deepened due to carbonation

Question 6

Define swallow hole

Answer 6

Large, cone shaped cavities that are open to the sky

Question 7

Define doline

Answer 7

Smallest closed depression. Develops when joints in limestone widen or roof collapses in underground cave

Question 8

Define uvula

Answer 8

Much larger depression, several swallow holes or dolines combine

Question 9

Define Polje

Answer 9

Largest enclosed depression. Steep sides, flat floor, may be several km in area

Question 10

Define dry valley

Answer 10

Valley carved out by a river now without water for all/most of year

Question 11

Define Turlough

Answer 11

Temporary, seasonal lake that occupies hollow in limestone landscape

Question 12

Define cave

Answer 12

Any naturally formed underground passage that is large enough to enter

Question 13

Define cavern

Answer 13

Large underground room

Question 14

Define stalactites

Answer 14

Dripstone deposit; hanging from ceiling of cave

Question 15

Define stalagmites

Answer 15

Dripstone deposits that build from ground up

Question 16

Define columns

Answer 16

When stalactites and stalagmites grow until they join to form a pillar

Question 17

Define curtains

Answer 17

Dripstone deposits which form on slanted ceilings, forming a curtain of calcite

Question 18

Define ground water table

Answer 18

Area underground that is permanently saturated with water

Question 19

Draw diagram of underground karst features

Answer 19

N/A

Question 20

How is limestone pavement formed?

Answer 20

Limestone pavements are flat, exposed surfaces of limestone. These features form when a layer of soil is removed, exposing the limestone to chemical weathering. Rainwater, which is slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide, seeps into cracks in the limestone. Over time, the rainwater dissolves the rock along these cracks, widening them to form deep fissures called grikes. The blocks of limestone left between the grikes are known as clints.

Question 21

How are caves formed?

Answer 21

Water flowing through the cracks in limestone dissolves the rock over time, creating large, hollow spaces underground

Question 22

How are stalactites formed?

Answer 22

Formed when water containing dissolved calcium bicarbonate drips from the ceiling of a cave. As the water evaporates it leaves behind deposits of calcium carbonate, which grow downwards over time

Question 23

How are stalagmites formed?

Answer 23

Water drips onto cave floor, leaving calcium carbonate deposits that grow upward

Question 24

How are pillars formed?

Answer 24

Stalagmites and stalactites meet and merge

Question 25

How are swallow holes formed?

Answer 25

Natural depressions where rivers or streams disappear underground, dissolving the limestone as they flow into the bedrock

Question 26

Formation of two igneous rocks, examples in Ireland (30m)

Answer 26

See notes

Question 27

Examine how different rock types produce distinctive landscapes, with reference to examples that you have studied (30m)

Answer 27

See notes

Question 28

Define zone of saturation

Answer 28

Rock and soil below the water table

Question 29

When was the limestone in the Burren exposed?

Answer 29

12,000 years ago