Limestone

Question 0

What is ground limestone used for?

Answer 0

Ground limestone is used to fertilise soil

Question 1

Name a place limestone is found

Answer 1

The Burren, Co Clare

Question 2

What is a large area of exposed limestone called?

Answer 2

A limestone pavement

Question 3

What are grikes?

Answer 3

Grikes are cracks in the limestone

Question 4

What are clints?

Answer 4

Clints are blocks of limestone

Question 5

What are bedding planes?

Answer 5

The line in rocks which separates the layers of strata (rock)

Question 6

What does permeable mean?

Answer 6

Permeable means that rainwater can easily pass through it

Question 7

What are karst landscapes?

Answer 7

Karst landscapes are regions where the soil is removed exposing the limestone

Question 8

Where is Ireland’s best known karst landscape?

Answer 8

The Burren, Co Clare

Question 9

What are swallow holes?

Answer 9

Swallow holes are gaps in the limestone which rivers disappear into underground

Question 10

How are stalactites formed?

Answer 10

Stalactites are formed when the carbonic acid in rainwater permeates through the limestone dissolving the calcium carbonate, the calcium carbonate then begins to form as drips on the roof of caves, these drops slowly begin to form cone shapes and over many years begin to harden to become stalactites, a stalagmite is formed when the calcium carbonate on the roof of the cave begin to drip down onto the floor, they eventually become the shape of a cone and harden to form stalactites. Pillars are formed when stalagmites and stalactites join together