ATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT R. Caher R. Caher Gleninagh Mt.
Ballyvaughan Gleninagh Mt.
Poulacapple Hill Ballyvaughan
Slieve ElvaPoulacapple Hill Slieve ElvaKilleany Spring
Lisdoonvarna Lisdoonvarna
Doolin Doolin
Killeany Spring Ailwee Cave Ailwee Cave Kinvara BealacluggaKinvara
Bealaclugga Ailwee Hill
Ailwee Hill Carron
Depression Carron
Kilfenora Kilfenora
Carron Mullaghmore Mullaghmore
Depression Carron
Slieve Carron Slieve Carron
CorofinCorofin Seettlements S ttlemen Shale and sandstoneShale and sandstone
Major enclosed basins Limit of the Burren Plateau
Major enclosed basins Limit of the Burren Plateau
Limestone produces unique karst landscapes for the following reasons: • It is permeable. • It is jointed. • It has bedding planes. • It contains calcium carbonate.
Other rocks Limestone
Fig. 4 Limestone deposits in Ireland
Limestone is permeable – it allows water to pass through it. The rainwater passes easily through the many vertical cracks called fissures and horizontal cracks called bedding planes. Limestone is chemically weathered by the carbonation process. Rainwater is slightly acidic because it has absorbed carbon dioxide from the air as
it falls. This acid (carbonic acid) reacts with the calcium bicarbonate in limestone forming soluble calcium bicarbonate. This is then carried away in solution by the rainwater. The acidified rainwater trickles down through the cracks and bedding planes
enlarging them by the carbonation process so that even more water can pass through the rock. Eventually the fissures are so large that most of the rain that falls goes underground within minutes.
7.3 Surface and underground landforms in karst areas