limestone

• in the ice age glaciers scoured the top soil and left exposed limestone. limestone is decayed remains of sea creatures lain in horizontal layers. the horizontal layers are called bedding planes and the gaps are called joints. limestone is permeable so allows water to seep down into it. rainwater picks up co2 from the atmosphere and becomes acidic the chemically weathers the limestone through a process of carbonation. the limestone dissolves into clints and grykes
• limestone is permeable allowing water to seep into it through joints and bedding plains. water flows underground via a swallow hole. caves form when areas of close together joints and bedding plains dissolve better due to carbonation, the process by which rainwater becomes acidic. many caves form a cavern.
• limestone is dissolved by carbonation the dissolved limestone is carried is flowing water through joints and bedding plains becoming solution and drips of the caves roof. the water evaporates out leaving calcite. the calcite precipitates out. over time deposition builds up forming a stalactite and the drips of calcite form stalagmites.
• rain mixes with co2 becoming acidic- this dissolves with limestone through the process of carbonation. acidic water dissolves limestones minerals. water seeps down into layers of rock where joints have been enlarged by chemical weathering. the gryke is larger due to repeated weathering - surface water dissolves calcium carbonate. eventually forming a swallow hole.
• intermittent drainage - a stream flows down through a swallow hole, through joints and bedding plains until reaching a layer of impermeable rock. the stream will work its way to a spring. many springs form a resurgance.