Limestone SRPs Flashcards
Define Limestone
Limestone is an Organic Sedimentary rock
Define Sedimentary
A Sedimentary Rock is a Rock that is made up of particles that have been put under intense pressure over a long period of time
Define Organic
Organic Sedimentary rocks are rocks that were made up of Organic sediment such as dead plants or animals
Where can it be found
Burren Co. Clare
When was this limestone formed
The limestone in the Burren is 350 -300 million Years old
Where was it when formed
At this time Ireland was Situated near the equator, under warm, tropical and shallow seas
What goes into forming it
Over time there is a build up of Dead sea creatures, plants and other sediment that has been transported by rivers to the Sea floor.
Where does the calcium carbonate come from
A substance known as Calcium Carbonate or Calcite is squeezed out of the shells that have been deposited. This substance begins to cement the sediment together.
Lithification - Define
Lithification is the process of turning sediment into Rocks.
Because L is S it contains Strata / BP
Limestone is a Sedimentary rock, therefore, it is similar to other sedimentary rocks in that it is made up of horizontal layers, known as strata or bedding planes.
what causes the Vertical cracks
The Limestone also has vertical Cracks in it. they formed when the earth’s movements folded and split the rock as Ireland moved northwards during plate movements
Permeable / Pervious
Limestone is a Permeable, Pervious Rock. This means that water passes through the joints and bedding planes but not through the actual body of the rock itself
development of limestone pavement
Bare Limestone forms a distinctive karst Landscape known as Limestone pavement
weathering
Carbonation occurs when the naturally acidic rain falls on the limestone pavement.
limestone turns into ______ when weathered
Limestone turns into a soluble calcium bicarbonate.
