Why Does Granite Erode Slower Than Limestone

Limestone is a rock which is more prone to especially chemical weathering than other types of rocks such as granite.

Why does granite erode slower than limestone.

Granite has little or no effect to acid rain whilst limestone is slowly eroded therefore granite lasts longer. Clay is a softer rock than the sandstone so is eroded more quickly the softer rocks erode backwards faster to form sheltered bays which may have beaches. Which meet the coast at right angles. Limestone because of its mineral property which is composed of mainly calcite which is weaker than granite.

Limestone has long fascinated earth scientists because of its rich fossil. 1 biogenic precipitation from seawater the primary agents being lime secreting organisms and foraminifera. Limestone is much softer more porous and more susceptible to this is primarily due to the chemical composition of the rocks. Limestone has two origins.

Granite will weather slower than limestone. Limestone because of its mineral property which is composed of mainly calcite which is weaker than granite and the minerals it usually is made up of quartz feldspar mica. Granite is harder and stronger than limestone whilst limestone is easier to shape. This is because calcium carbonate which is one of the minerals found in limestone readily reacts with rainwater.

What weathers faster a granite or limestone. Travertine tufa caliche chalk sparite and micrite are all varieties of limestone.