A quick and easy Earthcache with a convience place to stop.
Limestone is a carbonate sedimentry rock composed mostly from caluium carbonate or known as the mineral Cacite. Limestone forms from the accumulation of shell, coral and othr marine organisms and typically occurs in warm, shallow marine enviroments of a long period of time. Limestone can also be formed by the evaporation of water in caves and confined spaces.
This is known as a Karst landscape which features caves, underground streams and sinkholes. Above the surface you will see landscapes worn away by erosion - such as rocky cliffs and protruding rocks.
Limestone has a granular texture. Their constituent grains range in size from 0.001 mm to visible particles and in many cases have grains with microscopic fragments of fossil animal shells.Limestone has fascinated earth scientists because of its rich fossil contend. Much of the Earths chronology and development and been derived from the study of fossils embedded in limestone and other carbonate rocks.
Limestone also has a commercial importance in the fertiliser industry, when heated up to a temperature of around 900 degrees celciuss limestone will seperate calcuim carbonate and yield conbon dioxide and lime. It is also used in the production of glass. Certain types of limestone are also used in the building industry as flooring, exterior and interior facing and monuments.
How to recognise Limestone- Its a soft stone and easily scratched using something sharp. You will have a white powdery substance. You can also use an acid such as vinegar and the rock will bubble and be eaten away when it comes in contact.
Limestone will weather from the elements from a white to a grey and yellow to a brown. Factors for weathering includes rain, snow, temperature, wind and atmospheric pollutants.
What you must do to claim your find.
From the above information locate the Limestone
1. What does the limestone feel like? Is it consistant with being limestone?
2. Can you see any fossils? What do you think they are?
3. Why are the rocks different colours?
4. Take a Photo of yourself or a personal item with the rocks in the background.
Feel free to log your find straight away, BUT you will need to send your answers within 2 weeks or your log will be deleted.