limestone

Question 1

what are limestone environments also known as

Answer 1

karst landscapes

Question 2

what is limestone

Answer 2

name given to rock that is composed mainly of calcium carbonate
sedimentary rock that is formed underwater
some consist of mainly corals/shells of other small marine creatures

Question 3

why is limestone described as being massively jointed

Answer 3

has distinctive plane and joint pattern
joints often spaced quite far apart and often at regular intervals
the joints acts as weaknesses allowing water to percolate into rock and dissolve via chemical weathering processes of carbonation and solution
exposes rock surface and increases surface area vulnerable to further weather

Question 4

what is the chemical equation for the limestone process

Answer 4

H2CO3 + CaCO3 – Ca(HCO3)

Question 5

define limestone pavements

Answer 5

large areas of exposed limestone consisting of flat blocks of exposed limestone called clints which separated by enlarged joints called grykes
when overlying rock was erroded pressure release release on limestone below which cause them to crack even more
allows acidic rain water to seep through joints and dissolve limestone on each side thus widening and deepening joints
grykes run parallel to each other and separate large slabs of limestone called clints

Question 6

define sinkholes

Answer 6

depressions in landscape which may be caused by carbonation and solution of limestone
enlargement of gryke system
by collapse of cavern