Lecture 6 - Geomorphology and geology of the Peak District

Question 1

what is millstone grit?

Answer 1

• coarse grained and highly cemented sandstone of carboniferous age
• sedimentary rock - obvious beds

Question 2

what is standstone?

Answer 2

clastic sedimentary rock

Question 3

what 3 main rock types comprise the geology of the peak district?

Answer 3

1. gritstone
2. limestone
3. shale
   * on sheffield side - coal

Question 4

what is shale?

Answer 4

fine grained clastic rock, made of compacted mud, clays and silt

Question 5

limestone summary

Answer 5

• white grey colour
• made of calcium carbonate
• formed by accumulation of corals, shells and marine debris
• a sediment rock with obvious bedding
• can dissolve in weak acid (rain water)

Question 6

explanation of the presence of each rock type in the peak district:

Answer 6

1 - carboniferous : peak district is near equator in shallow warm seas; corals and shells become LIMESTONE
2 - sea shallowed + muds + silts formed adjacent continent via large rivers deposited into sea - became SHALE
3 - deltas formed and prograded deposited coarser sediments (sand) - became GRITSTONE
4 - became land and vegetation grew and died - became COAL

Question 7

in what order of depth do the rock types go?

Answer 7

deepest = limestone;
shale;
gritstone;
coal

Question 8

define periglacial

Answer 8

relating to an area adjacent to a glacier or ice sheet or otherwise subject to repeated freezing and thawing

Question 9

define conduit

Answer 9

a channel for conveying water or other fluid

Question 10

without human interference, what would dominate the peak districts land surface?

Answer 10

mixed oak woodland from sea level to 600m