What is a ceynote? Where is Lechugilla? What are karst landscapes? Our caves unit is filled with magical words that are hard to remember. However, it is an important one because caves are one of the most fragile environments on our planet.
How does our cave unit connect to the greater idea of gradational forces?
Well.... GRADATIONAL FORCES - Forces that try and wear down and erode our planet's surface in the hope of flattening it and bringing it to base level elevation (sea level).
WEATHERING is the breakdown of rock, and it occurs through physical (mechanical) and chemical means. One primary form of weathering is the process of SOLUTION which is when LIMESTONE rock is "eaten away" and eroded through the combination of carbonic and sulfuric acids and running water.
CAVES and all of the beautiful features like stalactites are the result of solution processes... Caves are the result of gradational agents trying to break down the rock features that have been uplifted and created from the opposing tectonic force.
I like caves. and I hope you will too by the end of this unit. Note that your assignment on Karst Landscapes is due next Tuesday (December 15).
Cave Links
Virtual Caves - this website is awesome
Cave Diagram - used in class
Karst Landscapes in BC - excellent
Virtual Tour of Lechuguilla Cave - very cool
Waitomo's Glowworm Caves
Irish Karst landscapes
How does our cave unit connect to the greater idea of gradational forces?
Well.... GRADATIONAL FORCES - Forces that try and wear down and erode our planet's surface in the hope of flattening it and bringing it to base level elevation (sea level).
WEATHERING is the breakdown of rock, and it occurs through physical (mechanical) and chemical means. One primary form of weathering is the process of SOLUTION which is when LIMESTONE rock is "eaten away" and eroded through the combination of carbonic and sulfuric acids and running water.
CAVES and all of the beautiful features like stalactites are the result of solution processes... Caves are the result of gradational agents trying to break down the rock features that have been uplifted and created from the opposing tectonic force.
I like caves. and I hope you will too by the end of this unit. Note that your assignment on Karst Landscapes is due next Tuesday (December 15).
Cave Links
Virtual Caves - this website is awesome
Cave Diagram - used in class
Karst Landscapes in BC - excellent
Virtual Tour of Lechuguilla Cave - very cool
Waitomo's Glowworm Caves
Irish Karst landscapes
Hi Ms. Sawatsky! Philippines has Karst Landscapes. :)
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