CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONE SCENERY

1
CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONE SCENERY
You should start describing how Karst features
are formed by describing the erosion process-
CHEMICAL SOLUTION.
It is unlikely that you will be asked about the
creation of the limestone itself. Do not spend
much time in a question explaining this. Begin
any story of Karst scenery features with the
exposure of the rock to the elements, laterally
by the glaciers.
You MUST be able to explain the basic chemistry
of the erosion process- mention the PH quality of
both rain AND rock! Chemical formulae are not
essential- but get them right if you use them!
2
Underground, overground, (Wombling free?)
The question asks you to explain the formation of
upland limestone scnery. Start above the
limestone plateau on the uppermost impermeable
rock layer. Describe its impermeability! (It
has streams at the surface!)
Then tell the story of the river as it flows onto
the limestone pavement- describe the limestone
with its
clints and grikes.
Describe the features found at the surface like
scars, dry valleys and shake-holes.
Do not describe yet the features caused by water
erosion underground, like gorges.
3
shakehole
4
The river finds a swallowhole and disappears
underground. Why? Remind the reader about
solution. Describe where the calcium carbonate
goes to when dissolved- INTO THE WATER !
Where does it come back OUT of solution? IN THE
CAVERN SYSTEMS !
5
Explain how the water gets into the cavern in the
first place- joints ! Describe the formation of
stalactites and stalagmites, with pillars and
flowstones as added extras. Explain carefully how
the CaCO2 gets out of the water and forms the
features.
Remember the benefit of a well-labelled
diagram!
6
Continue the story of the river as it flows down
inside the limestone through the passages and
tunnels. Tell how solution can create a
limestone GORGE at the surface. Explain where the
water goes to once it reaches the base of the
limestone plateau.- RE-EMERGENT STREAM or
resurgence
7
COASTLINES- erosion features
Remember to detail the processes of erosion by
the water- there are 6- can you remember them all?
What factors determine the amount of erosion?
corrosion attrition solution hydraulic action
water-layer weathering wave pounding
Fetch Wave details Weather details Local
geology
8

• There are eight erosion-related features you need
  to learn up.
• You need to be able to -
• Describe them using their proper terms
• Explain IN DETAIL how they form
• Draw simple LABELLED SKETCHES of them
• Give EXAMPLES of them in the UK.

BAY AND HEADLAND
CAVE AND BLOWHOLE
STACK
STUMP
ABRASION NOTCHES
ARCH
NEEDLE
WAVE-CUT PLATFORM
9
Stacks and stumps
10
Transportation of eroded sediments is done by
which process? Explain how it works. Why do the
waves travel at an angle
onto the beach? What happens to the particles
as they are transported?
Remember the benefit of a well-labelled
diagram!
11
How do these features form?
Do you know what these terms mean?
BEACH BAY BAR SPIT TOMBOLO HEADLAND SORTING GROYNE
RAISED BEACH RIA FIORD
LAGOON SALT MARSH SHINGLE SWASH BACKWASH ON-SHORE
WIND
END