Limestone pavement
A
limestone pavement is a
landform consisting of a horizontal surface of exposed
limestone showing the effects of
weathering. Since weathering action is always more pronounced along cracks and crevices it appears to break up the surface into segments which, if they are roughly rectangular, can give the appearance of an artificial
pavement. More usually, however, resulting blocks are less regular. In geographical studies, the weathered fissures are sometimes called "grikes" or "grykes" while the resulting blocks are known as "clints". These terms are derived from the North of England
dialect.
They were formed during the
ice age when the ice scraped away the top soil, leaving behind a bare, rocky surface. This left the limestone exposed to the elements and it was weathered away by the processes of frost shattering and carbonation (see
weathering).
Notable examples of pavement are found in the
Yorkshire Dales in Northern
England, such as those above
Malham Cove and on the side of
Ingleborough, and in
The Burren,
County Clare,
Ireland, where there are large areas of exposed limestone.
*
Alvar
