//The Forces of Weathering

Question 1

Burren Co.Clare

Answer 1

• Rare and famous karst area (soluble limestone exposed to surface)
• Attracts geographers, cavers, tourists

Question 2

Denudation

Answer 2

-The weathering and erosion of rocks
Weathering: breakdown + decay
Erosion: breakdown + removal

Question 3

Mechanical weathering:

Freeze-thaw action

Answer 3

Day: Water collects in cracks
Night: –0C + water freezes and expands by 10%
Repeat: strain on rock = split and broken

Question 4

Chemical weathering:

Carbonation

Answer 4

• Rain water contains carbon dioxide which forms a weak carbonic acid- reacts with calcium carbonate in rock = decay + widens cracks in pavement to form clints and grikes
• Permeable limestone

Question 5

How are stalactites and stalagmites formed

Answer 5

Stalagtites: Drops of water containing dissolved limestone attaches to the ceiling
Stalgmites: drops fall to the floor and stack forms

Question 6

Underground features of limestone

Answer 6

Passages: tunnels formed by carbonation
Caves/caverns: Large passages
Pillars: stalagmites, stalactites meeting

Question 7

Surface landforms/features

Answer 7

-Limestone pavement = clints and grikes
Grikes: Grooves in pavement from carbonation
Clints: limestone blocks separating grikes