The Power of Limestone
In The Power of Limestone, narrator Sir David Attenborough takes students on a journey through the fascinating world of limestone, revealing how this rock plays a critical role in shaping Earth's caves and landscapes. Limestone, which makes up nearly 10% of Earth's surface, forms from the mineral remains of marine shells and corals. Over millions of years, tectonic movements have lifted limestone from below sea level, creating towering formations, like those found in Vietnam, and sharp pinnacles in Borneo. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What is limestone made from?
A: Limestone is made from minerals derived from marine shells and corals.
Q: How does rainwater change the limestone?
A: Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide and becomes mildly acidic, which helps it dissolve and erode limestone over time.
Q: How are the limestone pinnacles in Borneo formed?
A: Rainwater has eroded the limestone over millions of years, creating sharp, jagged pinnacles.
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In The Discovery of Lechuguilla Cave, narrator Sir David Attenborough takes students on a journey into Lechuguilla Cave. Located beneath the desert in the United States, Lechuguilla was discovered in 1986 when cavers dug through loose rock and uncovered a vast system of passageways stretching over 120 miles. The cave is renowned for its breathtaking formations, including delicate gypsum crystals that cover its walls. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In The Formation of Stalactites and Stalagmites, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains the fascinating process of how stalactites and stalagmites form in caves, focusing on the Bornean caves. Rainwater eats away at limestone, leading to the formation of these unique cave structures. Water loaded with dissolved limestone deposits calcite to create stalactites from the ceiling and stalagmites from the floor. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.