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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
Feature X is a stalactite and feature Y is a stalagmite.
- Stalactite (X): A mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of a cave, formed by the deposition of minerals from dripping water.
- Stalagmite (Y): A mineral formation that rises from the floor of a cave, formed by the accumulation of minerals deposited by dripping water.
Step 3
Describe fully how the rock shown in the photograph is weathered by rainwater.
Answer
As rain falls, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming a weak carbonic acid. This weak acid can percolate through soil and rock, and when it reaches limestone, the acid reacts with calcium carbonate present in the rock. The chemical reaction can be represented as follows:
ightarrow ext{Ca}^{2+} + 2 ext{HCO}_3^{-}$$ This reaction results in the dissolution of limestone, which leads to the gradual weathering of the rock. The process of carbonation causes features like caves, sinkholes, and the various mineral formations seen in caves, such as stalactites and stalagmites, through the continuous leaching and erosion of the limestone.