Marble is a rock resulting from metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks, most commonly limestone or dolomite rock. Metamorphism causes variable recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. The resulting marble rock is typically composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals. Primary sedimentary textures and structures of the original carbonate rock (protolith) have typically been modified or destroyed.
Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of a very pure (silicate-poor) limestone or dolomite protolith. There are many colours of marble. The characteristic swirls and veins of coloured marble varieties are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. Green colouration is often due to serpentine resulting from originally magnesium-rich limestone or dolomite with silica impurities. These various impurities have been mobilized and recrystallised by the intense pressure and heat of the metamorphism.
The word "marble" derives from the Ancient Greek μάρμαρον (mármaron), from μάρμαρος (mármaros), "crystalline rock, shining stone", perhaps also from the verb μαρμαίρω (marmaírō), "to flash, sparkle, gleam".
Marble was used extensively by the ancient Greeks, for example in the Parthenon, and has been favoured as a sculpting material throughout history, especially during the Renaissance. Michelangelo's famous sculptures ‘David’ and the ‘Venus de’ Medici’ are made of marble.
A number of quarries were worked in the late 1800s to the mid 1940s in Macclesfield and to the south at Paris Creek. Discontinuous lenses of marble are traceable from near Macclesfield, south to beyond Paris Creek, over a distance of 8 km. The marble ranges from pure white and cream to blue-grey and pink. It was used for polished slabs, and for rough exterior and interior decorative and monumental stone.
Paris Creek Marble is referred to geologically as the Fork Tree Limestone and is Early Cambrian in age.
Stone from these quarries has been used prominently on many local public buildings including the Anglican Church and War Memorial in Macclesfield and the Catholic Church in Strathalbyn. Paris Creek marble has also been used on the State War Memorial on North Terrace, Adelaide, and featured in the Adelaide Town Hall, and plaza foyer of the state Festival Theatre. (Joanne Hough, “Geology meets art”, MESA Journal 70 Issue 3 – 2013)
Sculptors carving tools are often made of steel or iron which has a general hardness of about 5 (on Moh’s Scale of hardness from 1–10), making it easier to carve marble. Those who carve granite need to use diamond tipped tools.
This sculpture was the result of International Sculpture symposia held in 2012, 2014 and 2016 from which now 26 sculptures are permanently placed in public sites in the Adelaide Hills. Uniquely South Australian stones were the preferred choice for the sculptures. These have included pink and grey Paris Creek and Macclesfield marbles, white Angaston Marble, grey Kapunda Marble, mottled Sellicks Hill Marble, white Mount Torrens Marble and Black Granite.
Langhorne Creek’s is named “Flow” by sculptor Agnessa Petrova of Bulgaria.
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1) Describe the colours of the marble. What does this suggest about the composition of the stone?
2) Describe the textures of the stone surfaces. Is the crystalline structure visible? Is it smooth or rough, and why is this so?
3) Why is marble a good stone to use for sculptures?
4) Take a fun photo of your team, or GPSr, at the site near the earthcache site and include in your log.
Enjoy your visit to the legendary Langhorne Creek area!