The etching can be quite detailed, following nets of very fine cracks, and forming deeper v-notches in larger cracks or the bedding planes (Photo B770705 and ..06). Colour variations in the cream-coloured dolomite indicate that weathering has penetrated a few mm into the rock from the major cracks (photo B770707). Microkarren also occur and include microrills, networks and rasp-like teeth, as well as fine pitting.
The final (colour) photo is from further south, in the dryer area near Boulia, some very well developed microkarren were seen on loose cobbles of limestone (see Microkarren page). The underside of a loose specimen had fine pits (0.5 - 2 mm) where it had been in contact with the soil.
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Etched joints and bedding in flat-lying dolomite. At Camooweal. File: B770708.jpg |
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Etched joints in dolomite File: B770710.jpg |
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Etched joints, with weathered halos. In dolomite. File: B770707.jpg |
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Two levels of etched joints: Large joints form deep v-notches, and there is a finer mesh of small etched cracks. Stereo-pair: view cross-eyed. File: B770705s.tif |
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Etched pits and angular (polygonal?) branching cracks. In dolomite. Stereopair: View cross-eyed. File: B770714.jpg |
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Etched grooves and pits. File: B770716.jpg |
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Fine pitting on the underside of a cobble. These were in contact with the soil. The upper surface had fine micro-rills (see page on microkarren). On limestone near Boulia. File: D031631.jpg |