The causes of the occurrence of abundant chalk in the Cretaceous time.
Answer to Problem 1RQ
The chalk was abundant during the Cretaceous period due to the presence of coccolithophores in the warm sea.
Explanation of Solution
Coccolithophores were a single-celled organism that had tiny shield-like plates. These plates armour the coccolithophores while accumulating inside the grains of limestone. The occurrence of coccolithophores in the fine grain of limestones are known as chalk. During the late Cretaceous period, the low ratio of magnesium-calcium(Mg2+/Ca2+) resulted in the precipitation of calcite. The precipitation of calcite also favored the accumulation of coccolithophores.
In the southeastern coast of England, the famous chalk deposits are present. These deposits are called as “the chalk”. Another common region of chalk deposits includes Gulf Coast in United States, Kanas, Africa, Denmark, and Australia.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 17 Solutions
Earth System History 4e & Launchpad Solo For Earth System History (six Months Access)
- Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...Earth ScienceISBN:9780134746241Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONExercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134041360Author:Greg CarbonePublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental ScienceEarth ScienceISBN:9781260153125Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham ProfessorPublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
- Earth Science (15th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134543536Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental Science (MindTap Course List)Earth ScienceISBN:9781337569613Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott SpoolmanPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysical GeologyEarth ScienceISBN:9781259916823Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, LisaPublisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,