Rocks, Resources And Scenery

Question 1

When were granite, carboniferous limestone, chalk and clay formed?

Answer 1

Granite- 280 million years ago
Carboniferous limestone- 340 million years ago
Chalk- during the Cretaceous period
Clay- formed on many occasions throughout geological time - especially Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary.

Question 2

What is the crust

Answer 2

The thin outer layer of the earth, surrounding the mantle and the core. It is made up of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock.

Question 3

How is igneous rock formed

Answer 3

Formed by the cooling of molten magma either underground (intrusive) or on the ground (extrusive) by volcanic activity

Question 4

What are the characteristics of igneous rock

Answer 4

Composed of interlocking crystals (crystalline). They are generally tough rocks and are resistant to erosion.

Question 5

What are examples of igneous rock

Answer 5

Basalt, andesite and rhyolite are examples of extrusive lavas
Granite, gabbro and dolerite are intrusive rocks

Question 6

How are sedimentary rocks formed

Answer 6

Formed by the compactation and cementation of sedimentes; usually deposited in the sea. Also includes organic matieral (e.g. Coal) and rocks precipitated from solutions (e.g. Limestone)

Question 7

What are the characteristics of sedimentary rocks

Answer 7

Usually form layers called beds. They often contain fossils. Although some can tough(e.g limestone) most are weaker than igneous and metamorphic rocks

Question 8

what are examples of sedimentary rocks

Answer 8

Sandstone, limestone, shale, clay and mudstone. Chalk is a form of limestone

Question 9

How is metamorphic rock formed

Answer 9

Formed by the alteration of pre-existing igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks by heat and/or pressure

Question 10

What are the characteristics of metamorphic rocks

Answer 10

Crystalline. Often exhibit layering (cleavage not beds) e.g slate. They display banding. Metamorphic rocks tend to be very tough and resistant to erosion

Question 11

What are examples of metamorphic rock

Answer 11

Slate, gneiss and schist

Question 12

What is the rock cycle

Answer 12

Connections between the three rock types shown in the form of a diagram

Question 13

Describe the processes of the rock cycle

Answer 13

Rocks are constantly being recycled. Igneous rocks are broken down by weathering and transported to the sea as sediment. On the sea bed the sediment is turned into sedimentary rock. When uplifted to form a mountain range, the sedimentary rock is put under enormous pressure. Some of it is transformed into metamorphic rock. Some might be completely melted to form magma and, on cooling, brand new igneous rock due to crystallisation.

Question 14

What is weathering

Answer 14

The disintegration or decay of rocks in their original place at or close to the ground surface. It is largely caused by elements of the weather such as rainfall and changes in temperature. Weathering affects natural outcrops of rock as well as manmade structures such as churches, bridges and schools. Close inspection of a wall reveals small pits, flaking or discolouration. This is weathering. There are three types- mechanical weathering, chemical weathering or biological weathering.

Question 15

What is mechanical weathering

Answer 15

The disintegration of rocks without any chemical changes taking place. It often results in piles of angular rock fragments called scree found at the foot of bare rocky outcrops. Freeze-thaw and exfoliation are examples of freeze-thaw weathering

Question 16

What is chemical weathering

Answer 16

a chemical change ocurd when weathering takes place. Rainwater, being slightly acidic, can slowly dissolve certain rocks and minerals. Those minerals or particles unaffected by chemical weathering are usually left behind to form a white clay deposit.
Solution and carbonation are examples

Question 17

What is biological weathering

Answer 17

Involved the actions of fora and fauna. Plant roots are effective at growing and expanding in cracks in the rocks. Rabbits can be effective in burrowing into weak rocks such as sands.

Question 18

What is freeze-thaw weathering

Answer 18

Involves the action of water as it freezes and thaws in a crack or hole in the rock. It is common process that operates wherever there is plenty of water and where temperatures fluctuate repeatedly above and bellow freezing point

The process of freeze-thaw starts with liquid water collecting in pores in the rock. At night this water freezes and expands by aprox. 9 percent. It the water is in a confined space, the expansion creates stresses within the rock, widening any cracks that already exist. When the temperature rises and the ice thaws, the water seeps deeper into the rock along newly formed cracks. After repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, fragments of rock may become detached and fall to the foot of the slope to collect as scree

Question 19

What is exfoliation?

Answer 19

Most commonly associated with large fluctuations in temperature, which occur partly in hot desserts. Rock is a poor conductor of heat. This means that only the outer part of the rock warms and cools in response to changes in temperature. As it warms during the day it expands and cools at night as it contracts. Repeated cycles of expansion (heating) and contraction (cooling) can ultimately lead to the outer skin peeling away from the rest of the rock. The presence of water is important for exfoliation to take place as it weakens the rock, making it more vulnerable to flaking

Question 20

What is solution weathering

Example of something vulnerable to it

Answer 20

Some minerals and rocks dissolve in rainwater. Rock salt is a sedimentary rock that is formed under desert conditions from the accumulation of salt crystals on a dried up lakebed. Deposits of rock salt are found in Chesire and is extracted and used as a de-icer on roads and pavements in winter. It dissolves in water and is therefore vulnerable to the weathering process of solution.

Question 21

What is carbonation

Answer 21

It affects rocks that are made up of calcium carbonate such as limestone and chalk. It is responsible for forming some of the landforms associated with limestone landscapes
•rainwater picks up carbon dioxide from the air
•rainwater becomes weak carbonic acid
•acidic rainwater reacts with calcium carbonate to form calcium bicarbonate, which then disolves

Question 22

What is the geological timescale?

Answer 22

The period of geological time since life became abundant 542 million years ago, which geologists have divided into eras and periods. The boundries between the different periods represents critical stages in the earths history, such as periods of mountain building or widespread sea-level change
The earth is about 4600 million years old.

Question 23

What is granite

Answer 23

An intrusive igneous rock that was formed deep underground. Following uplift and erosion of the overlying rocks, the granite has become exposed.

Question 24

What is granite found as

Answer 24

In southwest England the isolated exposures of granite are all part of the same enormous igneous rock mass called a batholith. The irregular upper surface is gradually being exposed by erosion. One day south-west England will be completely granite.
A batholith is a huge irregular shaped mass of intrusive igneous rock that only reaches the ground surface when the overlying rock is removed.

Question 25

Where is granite found in the UK

Answer 25

Apart from the exposures in south-west England, granite is only found in parts of north west England, Scotland and Ireland

Question 26

What are the characteristics of granite

Answer 26

Tough rock resistant to processes of weathering and erosion. Forms upland areas because of this such as Dartmore and Bodmin in southwest england. Granite consists of three main minerals: grey coloured quartz, black mica and pink feldspar. feldspar is a mineral that is vulnerable to chemical weathering and will decay to form white clay called china clay or kaolin.
Granite contains cracks or joints but is impermeable despite this

Question 27

How were the joints formed in granite

What do they result in

Answer 27

Vertical joints formed when the granite cooled and contracted. Horizontal joints in granite resulted from pressure release as the overlying rocks were removed by erosion. The rock expanded as the pressure was released, causing the joints to form roughly parallel to the ground surface.
They make granite vulnerable to freeze-thaw weathering and in some places exfoliation

Question 28

Describe granite landscapes

Answer 28

They are wet and marshy with plenty of rivers due to granite not allowing water to pass through (impermeable). They tend to be bleak, wet and windswept. As upland areas, they experience heavy snow and rainfall in winter. Low grasses with a few stunted trees cover the moors, with are deeply dissected by rivers

Question 29

Describe the appearance of a tor and explain it

Answer 29

Look like a pile of rocks dumped on the ground.
Horizontal joints formed by pressure release when overlying rocks were removed. Broken rocks at the foot of the tor resulting from freeze-thaw weathering. Rounded edges caused by chemical weathering. Vertical formed when the granite cooled. Enlarged joints caused by freeze-thaw weathering

Question 30

How were tors formed

Answer 30

Linton’s theory in 1955
•the spacing of the vertical joints in granite varied across an area and that influenced the speed of weathering
•while underground and in a wetter climate, the closely spaced joints were weathered rapidly compared with the zone of more widely spaced joints
•as the granite became exposed during the ice age, erosion and mass movement(slumping) removed the broken-up granite, leaving behind the largely unweathered jointed granite to form a tor. Under current conditions it continues to be weathered by chemical and physical processes

Question 31

Explain the distribution of chalk in the UK

Answer 31

It is found in the south and east of England. It forms bands rather than the isolated outcrops of granite. This is because sedimentary rock forms beds that cover large areas. These beds appear as bands when exposed at the surface.

Question 32

What are the characteristics of chalk

Answer 32

Tough rock (not as strong as granite) it forms upland areas such as the Chilterns, Yorkshire Wolds and the South Downs because it is permeable so doesn't support rivers and there is therefore a lack of erosion.
It has lots of cracks and joints

Question 33

Why is chalk permeable

Answer 33

It is heavily jointed and porous. Rainwater soaks through the joints and pores until it reachers the water table. Where the water table reaches the ground surface, springs are formed.

Question 34

Why is chalk vulnerable to weathering

Answer 34

It is rich in calcium carbonate. This means it is vulnerable to the chemical weathering processes of carbonation.
It contains many joints and pores so it is vulnerable to freeze-thaw weathering.

Question 35

What are the characteristics of clay

Answer 35

Weak and impermeable. Rivers easily erode clay, which explains why it mainly forms low, flat ground called vales.

Question 36

Describe a chalk and clay landscape (diagram pg 43 LEARN IT)

Answer 36

The rocks are exposed at the ground at a slight angle rather than being horizontal. This is due to the rocks being folded by tectonic activity centred at the alps in southern Europe.
Has a dip slope -less steep and a scarp slope- which is steeper.
It is a spring:line: where water re-emerges onto the ground surface.
Dry valley: formed by a river either when the chalk was frozen during the ice age or when the water table was much higher than it is today

Question 37

How was carboniferous limestone formed and when

Answer 37

during the carboniferous geological period about 340 million years ago. It was formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate in warm tropical seas, rather like the present day Caribbean.
The corals and shellfish that were present in these ancient seas are often preserved as fossils

Question 38

What is the distribution of Carboniferous limestone

Answer 38

It forms across the UK. It runs down the spine of England to form the Pennine Hills

Question 39

what are the characteristics of carboniferous limestone

Answer 39

Tough as resistant rock. It forms upland areas such as the Pennine hills and the Mendips. When exposed at the coast, it forms dramatic towering cliffs.
It is chemically weak as it is composed of calcium carbonate making it vulnerable to carbonation. It is well jointed, with horizontal joints called bedding planes between the layers of limestone and regularly spaced vertical joints. This promotes freeze-thaw weathering and make limestone permeable.

Question 40

What are carboniferous landscapes like.

Answer 40

Forms high ground, often with exposures of bare rock and steep-sided valleys or gorges. - steep sided valley that may be formed by cavern collapse Weathering produces thin soils that support grass, used tor grazing by sheep and just a few isolated trees

Question 41

What are the surface features of a limestone pavement

Answer 41

The pattern of jointing results in a blocky appearance, with blocks called clints separated by enlarged joints called grikes. Chemical weathering causes the surface of the limestone to be smooth. Water flowing over adjacent impermeable rocks disappears down holes in the limestone called swallow holes. These are found at the intersection of the joints and are enlarged by weathering processes and river erosion

Question 42

How are dry valleys, gorges and resurgences formed

Answer 42

Dry valley formed by a river either when the water table was much higher than it is today. Most were probably formed by meltwater at the end of the last ice advance, when some of the limestone wad frozen and still impermeable. and water tables were much higher than today.
Narrow gorges result from the collapse of roofs or underground caverns.
resurgences occur where water flowing understand emerges onto the ground surface, often from a small cave.

Question 43

What underground features does carboniferous limestone display and how were they formed

Answer 43

As water flows through the joints in the limestone, weathering and erosion enlarge the joints to create tunnels and caverns. When water rich in dissolved calcium carbonate drips from the roofs of the caverns it leaves a minute deposit of calcite as it evaporates. Over hundreds of thousands of years an icicle-like stalactite forms hanging down from the roof. The drips on the floor also deposit calcite which due to the splatter effect, result in a shorter stubbier stalagmite. The two features can join together and form a pillar. Calcite can be deposited over a wider surface where water flows over a rock face or drips occur in many places along a crack in a wall. This can result in the formation of a sheet like curtain rather than an individual stalacite

Question 44

What are uses of granite

Answer 44

Extraction-building stone used in Cornwall and Aberdeen, commonly used for kitchen surfaces, in the past contained valuable veins of tin and other metals. kaolin (china clay) used in industry as whitener originated as granite.
Farming - mainly extensive sheep farming on poor pastures and in harsh conditions due to the granite forming upland areas
water supply- impermeable rock. several reservoirs have been constructed in steep valleys, such as the Burrator Reservoir which supplies Plymouth.
Scenery- attractive moorland scenery for outdoor activities especially walking, bird watching, mountain biking and climbing. Water sports-fishing, sailing) on the reservoirs

Question 45

What are the uses of chalk

Answer 45

Extraction-manufactured into cement, source of lime for industry and farming to neutralise acidic soils
Farming-reasonably fertile land used for sheep farming and some arable crops such as wheat and barley
Water supply- important store of underground water(aquifers). Supplies large parts of the south-east of England including London
Scenery-rolling hills, popular with naturalists due to rich wildlife, particularly flowers and birds. Walking and horse riding

Question 46

What are the uses of clay

Answer 46

extraction- making bricks for pottery
Farming-fertile soils but with a tendency to become waterlogged. Mostly used as pasture for sheep and dairy cattle
Water supply- flat land unideal for reservoirs
Scenery- featureless landscape unattractive

Question 47

What is carboniferous limestone used for

Answer 47

Extraction- quarried to make cement, source of lime for industry and farming to neutralise acidic soil, used as a building stone and in dry-stone walls as field boundaries, popular stone for gardens-which has led to some destruction of limestone pavements
Farming- generally thin, upland soils so mostly used for sheep
Water supply- spring water flowing out of the limestone can be a source of water
Scenery- attractive scenery popular with tourists. National parks and areas of beauty are limestone areas e.g oeak district and Yorkshire dales. Many opportunities for walking mountain biking, climbing and potholing

Question 48

What is farming like on dartmore

Answer 48

• main land use for the past 5,000 years
• 90% of land in the national park is farmed; half of this is open moorland, which is used for grazing livestock and the rest is fringe farmland and improved grassland
• dartmoor a designated as an environmentally sensitive area - farmers enter into management agreements, for payment, to carry out agricultural practises that conserve the upland landscape and wildlife habitats e.g reducing the numbers of livestock in grazing sensitive areas, restricting the use of fertilisers and pesticides, farmers are paid to maintain stone walls and hedgerows, develop hay meadows and adopt agricultural practices that help to protect the area’s archaeological and historical interest.

Question 49

What is the London Basin chalk aquifer and what is it use for

Answer 49

The chalk and clay rocks underneath London form a basin called a syncline. Water soaks into the chalk where it is exposed on either side of London and then percolates through the chalk to form a giant underground reservoir called an aquifer. For hundreds of years this water has supplied London with its water. It is carefully managed by the Environment Agency to ensure that its use is sustainable. In the 1960s, industrial use caused the water table to drop to 88m below sea level, which resulted in some sea water contamination. Following careful management and reduced demand from industry since 1990s, the water table had risen by as much as 3m a year

Question 50

Yorkshire dales case study

Answer 50

• national park made up largely of carboniferous limestone
• offers many opportunities for leisure and recreaton- criss-crossed with footpaths including Pennine Way
• nature tourism opportunities and outdoor pursuits such as climbing on limestone due to cracks, mountain biking and caving
• the area around Malham is a honey pot site

Question 51

yorkshire dales benifits and disadvantages

Answer 51

Advantages: Tourism brings money to the area which they spend in shops, cafés and hotels. New jobs created such as working in restaurants and hotels or acting as guides. Local craft industries and farms benefit.
Disadvantages: Traffic jams in narrow roads, litter spoils the area and is harmful to wildlife. Farm gates may be left open or animals worried by dogs. Shop prises may also he higher which is bad for residents. House prices may also be higher due to a demand for holiday homes.

Question 52

Limestone quarrying in the peak district case study

Answer 52

Limestone quarried as early as roman times for building stone, cement, lime, farming and aggregate for road building and industry. There were 13 active quarries in the peak district. The amount of limestone extracted from the area increased from 1.5m tonnes in 1951 to 7.9 in 2008 reflecting an increasing demand for aggregate

Question 53

Hope Quarry, Castleton case study

Answer 53

One of the largest quarries in the peak district. Located on the outskirts of Castleton in Peak District National Park. It supplies 2m tonnes of limestone a year to the nearby Hope Cement Works which produces 1.3 tonnes of cement a year. It opened in 1929 to exploit the nearby reserves of limestone and shale, both of which are required to make cement
Ownerd by Lafarge group and employs 200 local people. The local economy enjoys huge benefits as the locally employed people support nearby shops an businesses in the multiplier effect.
•has reserves for another 30 to 35 years

Question 54

How did the Peak District strive to create a balance between conservation and the environment and the economic and social needs

Answer 54

• landscaping and tree planting to reduce the visual impact
• efforts made to reduce dust
• £20m spent to improve transport. Rail used rather than road to reduce the impact of heavy traffic. 1 train is equivalent to 57 lorries
• produces 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide per year but in 2003, 7,000 trees were planted to offset this
• an old quarry is a wetland reserve
• in 2010 lafarge were granted permission to burn processed sewage pellets as sustainable fuel to reduce carbon emissions

Question 55

Why are quarries restored

Answer 55

Can create environmental damage, visual impact, pollution of rivers and aquifers, destroy habitats when trees and vegetation are removed. There are strict environmental controls. They are expected to restore or improve on the original environmental qualities of the area.

Question 56

How are quarries restored

Answer 56

Either while the work is still in progress parts can be restored while other parts continued to be worked.

There are many uses for exhausted quarries. They can be restored to farmland by having the top soil replaced. They can create interesting undulating courses for motocross or mountain bikes. Waste tips can be used as dry ski slopes. Often quarries contain lakes which are ideal for wildlife reserves, fishing or water sports

Question 57

Restoration during extraction case study

Answer 57

Drayton Sand and Gravel Quarries located near Chichester in West Sussex. Two quarries: Drayton North and Drayton south. Before extraction started, restoration started. Hedgerows and oak trees planted between the two quarries. Work done to retain and deepen the lake. When quarrying is completed, an extensive lake covering 15ha will be created. It will have reed beds, deep and shallow areas to provide a range of habitats and small islands. The edges of the lake will be grassland and woods. Nesting boxes will be sited to encourage birds into the area. The operators expect to have increased biodiversity in an area that was previously species-poor intensive farmland

Question 58

Restoration after extraction case study

Answer 58

Hollow banks quarry is a 20h quarry near Catterick, north yorksire where sand and gravel was extracted between 1999 and 2003.
•the site was contoured to create a gently undulating landscape with small ponds bordered by grass and woodland
•land was established as grasses for pasture and as woodland. By planting a variety of plants and tress, a number of different habitats were created for animals and birds
•woodland areas have been fenced to prevent trees being damaged by browsing farm animals
•20,000 trees and shrubs raised locally were planted during 2004 and 2005
•aquatic plants have been planted at the margins of the ponds
•footpaths have been established to provide public access to the woods and ponds