Chapter 1.2 Physical Environments - Upland Limestone

Question 1

A limestone pavement is formed in three steps:

Answer 1

• When glaciers passed over the top of an upland limestone area they removed the top soil leaving exposed rock.
• The rainwater then dissolved the limestone. The joints inbetween the rocks widened and deepend creating large blocks
• The cracks or fissues between the blocks are called grykes and the blocks called clints

Question 2

Potholes/Swallow holes are formed when

Answer 2

widening of a major joint has occured, ususally when a stream dissapears underground.

Question 3

Underground caverns occurs when

Answer 3

the process of dissolving limestone has continued underground.

Question 4

Underground caverns are created when

Answer 4

sections of rock may have collapsed onto the bedrock creatinf underground caves.

Question 5

Underground lakes and streams occur when

Answer 5

Surface water has met the impermeable underground rock.

Question 6

Stalactites and stalagmites form in

Answer 6

underground caverns

Question 7

What are the four steps to the formation of a stalactite?

Answer 7

• Through chemical weathering, particles of limestone are dissolved in solution by rainwater
• This water percolates through the rock and drops are deposited on the ceiling and floor of the cavern
• Gradually the moisture evaporates and the deposits of limestone are left.
• The deposits of limestone left hanging down from the ceiling of the caves are called stalactites.

Question 8

What are the four steps to the formation of a stalagmite?

Answer 8

• Through chemical weathering, particles of limestone are dissolved in solution by rainwater.
• This water percolates through the rock and drops are deposited on the ceiling and floor of caverns
• Gradually the moisture evaporates and the deposits of limestone are left
• The deposits that build up from the ground are called stalagmites.

Question 9

Intermittent drainage occurs when

Answer 9

streams that drain areas of impermeable rock carry on into a limestone area and disappear through the permeable limestone.

Question 10

The stream flows along the bedding planes until it reaches the underlying permeable rock. Eventually as the stream flows along the water table, it emerges at the surface at a lower level. This water is called a spring.

This is an example of what feature?

Answer 10

Intermittent Drainage