Why does limestone form cliffs in dry climates?

Question

for a homework assignment(due tomorrow).
can't find answer in book.
thx a bunch.

Answer 1

Limestones are easily eroded by hyrologic processes however in the desert, the aoelian processes are more present. Wind has less of an effect on limestone.
And, a cliff is a result of a rock that is not easily eroded.
In deserts such as the Sahara, limestone is the common bedrock and that's why it is present as a cliff component. It is less common in the American southwest, wherein denser, less erodable rocks such as basalt are present.

Answer 2

Water is needed in order to erode limestone. What typically happens is that limestone get wet and carbon dioxide goes into solution, forming (a weak) carbonic acid. This get into cracks in the limestone and starts dissolving the calcium carbonate (calcite), which is a major constituent of limestone. In dry climates any moisture evaporates, thus not allowing the formation of carbonic acid. Hence, limestone does not weather as quickly. The cliffs are probably tectonically formed from faults, and so they remain as cliffs.

Answer 3

Well, I'm searching this on the internet and came up with this so far:
The west face of Notch Peak in southwestern Utah, United States; a limestone cliff of about 670 m (2,200 ft). This was the only limestone cliff I could find.

In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are categorized as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually formed by rock that is resistant to erosion and weathering. Sedimentary rocks most likely to form cliffs are sandstone, limestone, chalk, and dolomite. Igneous rocks, such as granite and basalt also often form cliffs.

Go to Wikipedia for starters.

Answer 4

well I can tell you for sure that it is a bad question... but I know what they are looking for.
Limestone is calcium carbonate, and weak acids (as weak as mildly acidic rainfail or runoff) will slowly dissolve limestones.
So in a dry climate limestones would tend not to dissolve as much and therefore be found on cliffs.
While in some cases this is true....to say limestone is a more prominent cliff forming rock in dry climates, is misleading

Answer 5

To geologist. You still can answer some questions?