Researching rocks of various areas.
If I was to mention England, would the rock be gritstone?
If I was to mention Scotland, would the rock be the drystone used to make the farm fences?
If I was to mention Wales, would the rock be from the many beaches due to so much water? Any specific ones?
If I was to mention Ireland, would it be the rocks and stones found in the soil?
Any opinion would be an asset.
2007-02-19 14:13:50 · 5 answers · asked by boulderbunny 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Most types of rock have basically worldwide distribution. For instance, limestone occurs almost everywhere there is sedimentary rock, even though it may be one of the deeper layers of rock and not always exposed at the surface. You may find that a particular variety of limestone may be in several areas, but in each the locals may have a different common name for it like "cotton rock" or "quarry ledge marble". (You probably have noticed that with animals and other things also.) The proper name is really just from an agreement of experts on one name they want everyone to use so they can avoid confusion.
The way geologist name types of rocks is pretty well established and based on what conditions it formed under (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary), followed by the minerals it is made of, grain size, etc.
Stratigraphy also comes into play. That is where different beds of rock are studied, and I think this is more what you are wanting to know about. Different layers of rock are usually named for the area where they were first studied and described. For instance, rocks of the Devonian System were first studied in Devon, England. This is a pretty thick sequence of rock, and very widespread, so it has a lot of smaller divisions. The basic unit is called a formation, which can have several different layers and types of rock in it. Formations are also named for the place they were first studied, but usually it is the nearest town or other specific point on a map. Below the formation level there are members, beds, zones, etc.
It's a good deal more complex than what I've said here. If you really want to learn more about this aspect of geology, http://scidiv.bcc.ctc.edu/rv/103/ppt06/Lec8.103.Stratigraphy.ppt is a fair start for you.
2007-02-19 15:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by Now and Then Comes a Thought 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it would help to know that there are basically three kinds of rock.
1) Igneous rock, which is created in and emanates from volcano's (Basalt, Granite)
2) Sedimentary rock, which is laid down largely in lakes and seas, like sandstone, limestone, etc
3) Metamorphic rock, which is fundamentally the above two after they have been buried and subjected to intense heat and pressure, and metamorphose (change) into something else, like Marble, or indeed Gold or Silver.
2007-02-20 22:38:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The south coast U.ok. is chalk based (youthful limestone) moving north you get sandstone an limestone till you get flint (like in Wales an Scotland) interspearsed with granite. eire has chalk interior the south an east coast an granites someplace else, sorry I cant help greater yet i'm soo drained!!!
2016-12-18 06:53:05 · answer #3 · answered by nehls 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An add on to the previous answer, which is correct.
Links to geologic maps and specific information on the rocks of the UK
http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/Geology-Britain.htm.
http://www.answers.com/topic/geology-of-the-british-isles
http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Geology%20files/Geol_index.html
2007-02-19 17:06:39 · answer #4 · answered by luka d 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋