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chemical weathering and surface karst landscape - Coggle Diagram
chemical weathering and surface karst landscape
carbonation
Burren co. Clare
rain water mixes with carbon dioxide. it forms a weak carbonic acid
calcium carbonate is the cementing agent if limestone, so when it reacts with the carbonic acid it produces a soluble mineral.
this mineral is called calcium bicarbonate which dissolves in water and drains away through the rock.
the process when it drains is called percolation
limestone is most susceptible to carbonation as a result of its high permeability and has a calcium carbonate content of 80%
its vulnerable because of its points of weakness like bedding planes and joints.
the solution formed from the dissolved calcium bicarbonate seeps through the bedding planes and joints, gradually widening them.
Hydrolysis
lenister batholith
most effective in wetter and warmer climates
for every 10 degrees increase in temp the rate of hydrolysis doubles.
granite is most susceptible to hydrolysis because of it permeability
rainwater reacts with rock minerals like feldspar.
this forms a weaker mineral called kaolin. it breaks down easily which weakens the rock structure and gradually the rock breaks down and decomposes
limestone pavement is an area of flat exposed limestone blocks that are separated by deep joint
Mullaghmore mts in the burren in co. clare
the Burren was created 300 - 350 million years ago during the carboniferous period
limestone rock was exposed to the surface due to the last ice age removing soil as well as deforestation
as water percolates through the limestone, it widens and deepens the joints which creates clefts called grikes
as the grikes deepen the remaining limestone blocks develop into clints.
karrens are little hallows at the top of clints may also form from acidic water lodging on top
eventually the water, through carbonation creates a channel between the karren and grike that is known as fluting