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Examine the photograph of a cave in Ireland - Junior Cycle Geography - Question A - 2008
Question A
Examine the photograph of a cave in Ireland. (i) What type of rock is shown? (ii) Identify the feature labelled X and the feature labelled Y. (iii) Describe fully... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine the photograph of a cave in Ireland - Junior Cycle Geography - Question A - 2008
Step 1
Step 2
Identify the feature labelled X and the feature labelled Y.
Answer
The feature labelled X is a stalactite, which is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, formed by the dripping of mineral-rich water. The feature labelled Y is a stalagmite, which is formed on the ground in a cave from the same dripping process, growing upwards.
Step 3
Describe fully how the rock shown in the photograph is weathered by rainwater.
Answer
The rock in the photograph, limestone, is weathered by rainwater primarily through the process of chemical weathering. As rain falls and interacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it forms a weak carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
This carbonic acid seeps into the limestone, reacting with the calcium carbonate present in the rock. The chemical reaction can be summarized as follows:
ightarrow ext{Ca}^{2+} + 2 ext{HCO}_3^{-}$$ Through this process, the limestone gradually dissolves, leading to the formation of cavities and underground features such as caves, as well as the distinctive formations seen in the photograph, caused by the minerals being redeposited as the water evaporates.