Karst Geology ~ Giant's Hole Query

[EJ~]

Recently been for a trip down the wonderful Giant's Hole. Was hoping someone might be able to attach a formal name to the formation below.
Some common kind of bedding plane?
Cheers,
E.

 

[Fulk]

Stylolites?

 

[Brains]

Yes, stylolites. Formed by pressure solution along a layer. The more it develops, the greater the irregularity. Non calcite impurities build up at the interface.

 

[EJ~]

Yes, stylolites. Formed by pressure solution along a layer. The more it develops, the greater the irregularity. Non calcite impurities build up at the interface.

Thanks ever so much. Forgive the brain blip on stylolites.

 

[Brains]

Stylolites from Sell Gill, Goblin Shaft. The two layers are obviously different beds, and at least 60cm thickness of material has been dissolved, that being the approximate range in the topography of the solution front in this image

 

[ChrisB]

"The Stylolites" could be a name for a rock band of the musical kind - formed from another one that had dissolved under pressure.

 

[Mrs Trellis]

"The Stylolites" could be a name for a rock band of the musical kind - formed from another one that had dissolved under pressure.

I actually saw the Stylolites at the Twisted Wheel in 1967.

 

[Lankyman]

"The Stylolites" could be a name for a rock band of the musical kind - formed from another one that had dissolved under pressure.

No doubt part of an obscure underground movement.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

I've admired the stylolites in Giant's myself, there are some very nice examples, but the ones I noticed were all in crabwalk where many people would just be focusing on not being there, rather than admiring the pretties

 

[EJ~]

I've admired the stylolites in Giant's myself, there are some very nice examples, but the ones I noticed were all in crabwalk where many people would just be focusing on not being there, rather than admiring the pretties

Oh, you have to admire the pretties! Some really nice fossil inclusions along the way to boot.

 

[andrewmcleod]

Very common in the Dales at least e.g. in Jingling Pot. Not really a cave formation (as they will massively predate the cave) but wonderfully exposed in caves. Occasionally the thin layer of impurities (resistant to dissolution) protrudes from the wall.

I find it interesting how tens of centimetres of rock can just disappear by dissolution under pressure from the 'middle' of a sequence.

 

[EJ~]

Very common in the Dales at least e.g. in Jingling Pot. Not really a cave formation (as they will massively predate the cave) but wonderfully exposed in caves. Occasionally the thin layer of impurities (resistant to dissolution) protrudes from the wall.

I find it interesting how tens of centimetres of rock can just disappear by dissolution under pressure from the 'middle' of a sequence.

I guess some materials are just not as resistant to pressure! Others, however, are clearly much more sturdy!

But, yes, these ancient lithologies certainly have a certain unique charm.