CSEC GEOGRAPHY S.B.

CANDIDATE'S NAMES:Romain Murray,Tyric Salmon

REGISTRATION NUMBERS:Romain Murray(1001541020) Tyric Salmon(1001541240)

CENTRE NUMBER:100154

SCHOOL:CHARLEMONT HIGH

TERRITORY:JAMAICA

YEAR OF SUBMISSION:2024

TEACHER: Valrie Brown

GENERAL TOPIC OF INTEREST: Limestone Features

Possible Questions To Be Investigated:

What are the processes that lead to the formation of the Limestone features near Discovery
Bay,St.Ann,Jamaica.

STRATEGY

A)What is the purpose of your study?

To determine the processes that lead to the formation of the limestone features located in
Discovery Bay,St.Ann,Jamaica.

B)How will you obtain data?

We will conduct a review of processes which lead to the formation of limestone features in
Jamaica.Additionally,the data gathered from the field study at The Green Grotto Caves in
St.Ann,in the form of observations and notes will be reviewed.

C)How do you intend to present the data and findings in your report?

● Maps showing the location of the study area.

● Labeled photographs of features and locations found with the study.

● Analysis and discussion of the findings.

● Stated conclusions.

Location of the Study Area: The Green Grotto Caves,Discovery Bay,St Ann,Jamaica

Equipment/Resources Required:

Notebook,Pencil/Pen,Smartphone Camera,Observation worksheet,Mesh Cap,Helmet

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2………Plan of Investigation

4……… Introduction

5……….Aim of Study

6-7.........Location of Study

8……….Methodology

9………. Presentation of Findings,Discussion & Analysis of Data

10……..Plate 1:The Formation of Limestone Caves

11……...Plate 2:The Formation of Stalactites

12….…..Plate 3: The Formation of Stalagmites

13……...Plate 4:The Formation of Pillars

14……...Conclusion

15……...Refrences

16-19........Appendix(Answer Sheet)
Introduction:

Discovery Bay,nestled along the scenic coastline of St. Ann,Jamaica,stands as a captivating

space where nature has sculpted our unique limestone features over time.Our Geography S.B.A
(School-Based Assessment) embarks on a comprehensive investigation aimed at unraveling the
processes which have contributed to the formation of these distinctive geological formations.The
field study was conducted at the Green Grotto Caves in St.Ann Jamaica.During our trip
observations were made made show features which were seen within the Caves showcase a
tapestry of nature's craftsmanship,including:two caves, stalactites,pillars,stalagmites and an
underground lake.The main process which lead to the formation of these featured was
determined to be the carbonation and solution of the limestone present within the area in which
the study was conducted.As we delve into this study,our focus is to make plain the various
processes that have shaped and continue to shape the scenery present within The Green Grotto
Caves.
Aim of Our Study:

To determine the various processes which lead to the formation of the Limestone features located
near and within Discovery Bay,St.Ann,Jamaica
Location of Field Study

Map #1: Location Map

Map showing our locations within the journey.

Scale 1:25000
Map #2:Site Map

Map of a section of Discovery Bay showing the location of the Green Grotto Caves.

Scale 1:25000

Methodology:
On October the 5th,2023,our team explored the Green Grotto Caves in St. Ann,Jamaica.The trip
took around 2.5-3hrs.Equipped with helmets and data collection sheets provided by our tour
guide,we keenly observed various features pointed out by the guide,captured photographs,and
collected data using the worksheets.Although our study was limited to a single visit,it provided
valuable insights and the importance of the Green Grotto Caves.

Presentation of Findings,Discussion&Analysis of Data:

Map#3

Map of Jamaica Showing Limestone Areas:

Scale 1:25000

The rock type prevalent in the study area is limestone, a sedimentary rock composed mainly of
calcium carbonate (CaCO₃),typically in the form of calcite. Limestone is the name given to rock
which is composed mainly of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound of
calcium, carbon and oxygen. The chemical formula for calcium carbonate is CaCO3. Limestone
is a sedimentary rock which is formed underwater. Some limestone consists mainly of coral or
the shells of other small marine creatures. Limestone may also be precipitated from seawater.
Limestone is a permeable rock. This means that water can enter limestone through pores, joints
or cracks in the rock. Another characteristic of limestone is that it can be slowly dissolved by
water. When groundwater or rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide, it becomes a weak acidic
solution which is especially effective at dissolving limestone. Because of these simple facts,
wherever limestone is in contact with rainwater or groundwater, some interesting limestone
features tend to develop.

Plate#1:The Formation of Limestone Caves

Image showing the entrance of the cave,Source(photographed by Tyric Salmon)

A cave is a naturally occurring underground hollow or passage, especially one with an opening
to the surface of the Earth. Caves often form in limestone areas when underground water
dissolves the rock, forming tunnels passages and even large caverns.

Plate#2:The Formation of Stalactites

Image showing a stalactite in formation Source,(photographed by Tyric Salmon)

Water dripping from the ceiling of a cave contains dissolved calcium carbonate. Some of this
calcium carbonate may be deposited on the ceiling of the cave. Over time the deposition of
calcium carbonate will form an elongated feature which hangs down from the ceiling. This
feature is known as a stalactite. A stalactite can be seen in the photo above.

Plate#3:The Formation of Stalagmites

Image showing a stalagmite in formation,Source(photographed by Romain Murray) Fieldwork
2023

As water drips from the ceiling onto the floor of the cave, calcium carbonate may be deposited
on the floor of the cave. Over time this may form an elongated feature which rises vertically
from the cave floor. This feature is known as a stalagmite.A stalagmite in the process of
formation can be can be seen in the photo above.

Plate#4:Showing The Formation of a Pillar

Image of a pillar,Source(Taken by Romain Murray) Fieldwork 2023

A stalagmite may form directly below a stalactite as water drips from the ceiling of the cave onto
the floor. The stalactite may continue to grow downwards and the stalagmite may continue to
grow upwards until the two limestone features eventually meet. When this happens they form a
new feature known as a pillar or column which extends all the way from the ceiling of the cave
to the floor. A limestone pillar can be seen in the photograph above.

Conclusion:
In order to determine the processes which lead to the formation of the Limestone features located
near and within Discovery Bay,St.Ann research was conducted at the Green Grotto Caves.Our
Fieldwork revealed that the processes of carbonaton,solution,and crystallization were the driving
factors in the formation of the various features observed in and around the Green Grotto
Caves.Through carbonation rainwater becomes a weak carbonic acid,through solution,the
dissolved calcuim carbonate percolates through the cracks and joints of the limestone
rock,eventually dripping into a cave.This leads to the formation of stalactites,stalagmites,and
pillars.

Refrences:
How limestone caves are formed:

How Are Limestone Caves Formed? (Images + Interesting Facts) | Casual Geographical

Limestone Rocks:

Limestone Features - Geo for CXC

Stalactites

Limestone Features - Geo for CXC

Stalagmites

Limestone Features - Geo for CXC

Pillars

Limestone Features - Geo for CXC

Appendix:

Observation Worksheet
Fieldwork-Limestone Landforms

Location:Discovery Bay,St.Ann,Jamaica

Name:Romain Murray

Date:October 5,2023

Observation started:2:40pm

Observe the entrance and measure its width.

7.4m

How high is it?

2.4m

Make a sketch of the entrance/take a photograph.

Image showing the entrance of the cave,Source(photographed by Tyric Salmon)

Observe the roof of the cave.

Name the feature seen

-Stalactite

Is there water dripping from the cave ceiling?

-yes

If yes where is this water coming from?

-The tour guide stated that seawater was percolating through the rocks which caused dripping to
be observed.

Why did the feature develop on the ceiling of the cave?

-It developed from dissolved calcuim carbonate crystallizing and solidifying.

What is it made of?

-dissolved,crystallized,solidified calcium carbonate
Name features on the floor of the cave.
-Stalagmite

How did this feature develop?

-Dissolved calcium carbonate dripping from the stalactite above it,
then crystallizing and solidifying.

What other landforms can you identify?List them:

-Pillar
-Limestone Rocks
-(Wishing Well)-Small lake about midway into the cave.

Is there a river/lake in this cave?

-yes there is a lake

What is the name of this lake?

-The Green Grotto Lake

Where is this water at the bottom of the cave coming from?

-The water is seen dripping from the ceiling because the tour guide stated that there was an
above-ground lake connected to the sea.

Make note of other features that you see:

-porous rocks

Note your observation:

-They were identified to be corals by the tour guide,hinting that at some point, jamaica was
submerged below sea level,and was brought to its current height by tectonic plate activity.