Your task to log this earthcache as found:
1. Describe the rock at the given coordinates: the color, specify whether it is rough or smooth, whether it is soft or hard (can you scratch it, e.g. with your nail), what size are the grains.
2. Based on the above observations, determine what type of limestone it is.
3. The place is very picturesque. You must have a photo of yourself (or something that clearly identifies you) with the given coordinates. Attach the photo to the log (do not send it to us with your answers).
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What do school chalk, a stone in a kettle and a Venus de Milo sculpture have in common? The common feature is limestone!
A rock is a group of several or more minerals (less often one) formed under the influence of various geological processes. An example of a rock composed of one mineral is limestone - made of calcite. A rock made of several minerals may be granite - it consists of feldspar, quartz and mica. The mineral and therefore chemical composition of rocks is variable. Therefore, it cannot be determined by a chemical formula, as is the case with the composition of minerals.
Rocks can be classified based on various assumptions - the most common is the division of rocks according to their genesis (origin). On this basis, all rocks are divided into three groups - igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation or deposition of sediments, ie. mineral or organic particles, at Earth's surface, followed by cementation.
Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock to new types of rock in a process called metamorphism.
Types of limestone rocks
Since ancient times, limestone has been used to construct buildings, obtained from the limestone rocks that build many mountain ranges. The main component of limestone rocks is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), occurring in nature as a mineral called calcite. The name calcite comes from the Greek word chalix, meaning lime - it refers to the traditional use of this mineral. In addition to limestone itself, limestone rocks also include chalk and marble. Limestone and chalk are sedimentary rocks, and marble is an example of metamorphosed rocks.
White rocks (from the left): limestone, marble, chalk.
Properties of limestone rocks
Limestones are a group of rocks that are very diverse in physicochemical terms. Their color is usually white, light gray or beige. Sometimes, depending on chemical admixtures (such as quartz, dolomite, pyrite), limestones may be red, greenish or brown in color. They are not very resistant to weather conditions. It is an easy-to-process raw material.
Limestone is mainly used in construction. Many historical buildings were built of limestone. The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, had an outside cover made entirely from limestone. On a large scale, it was a local building material from which houses and farm buildings were built.
Chalk is a variety of limestone. It creates pieces of white or gray color, porous structure and low density. It is an extremely soft rock that easily absorbs water.
Chalk is a rock that is added to white paints, putty, powders and toothpastes. It is used in the ceramic, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. After mixing with plaster, it is used to make writing chalk.
Marble is also a variety of limestone. It is a rock with a crystalline structure, high hardness and various colors - from white, through pink, green to black. Marble owes this variety of colors to the admixtures of other substances it contains. It is durable, but at the same time it can be sanded, polished and filed.
Marble is a very good sculptural material, highly appreciated by artists. An interesting range of colors, unique design and the dominance of calcite, which has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, makes it easy to process and can be used mainly for interior decoration. Marble slabs are used to make floors, stairs, window sills, fireplace finishing elements, vases, sculptures.
Sources: https://zpe.gov.pl/ https://pl.wikipedia.org/