Dovedale - Limestone rocks.

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Limestone rocks are sedimentary rocks (one of the three main rock groups) that are made from the mineral calcite. Limestone rocks are formed at the bottom of lakes and seas with the accumulation of shells, bones and other calcium rich goods.

For thousands, even millions of years, little pieces of our earth have been eroded, broken down and worn away by wind and water. These little bits of our earth are washed downstream where they settle to the bottom of the rivers, lakes, and oceans. Layer after layer of eroded earth is deposited on top of each. These layers are pressed down more and more through time, until the bottom layers slowly turn into rock. The heat and pressure causes chemical reaction at the bottom and the rock turns into solid stone, the limestone.

 

Limestone is especially popular in architecture, and many landmarks around the world, especially in North America, Europe, and the pyramids in Egypt are made of limestone. In the 19th and 20th centuries, limestone became very popular in the architecture because limestone was readily available and relatively easy to work with. It is also long lasting and stands up well to exposure. However, it is a very heavy material, making it impractical for tall buildings, and relatively expensive as a building material.

Physical Properties of Limestone

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Stepping pyramid build of limestone

Limestone landscape also called Karst is a unique landscape formed by the underground erosion of rocks such as limestone and marble that dissolve in water. Rainwater, made acidic by carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and soil, slowly infiltrates cracks in limestone and marble, dissolving the rock and enlarging the openings. If these openings become large enough for humans to enter, they are termed caves. Caves, however, form only a tiny part of most karst areas.  Karst openings support unique ecosystems that include plants, bacteria, ...

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