Theres something strange in my Silurian bedrock

I noticed these strange formations on my vacation to the island of Gotland this summer and they baffle me. The stone is Silurian limestone. Anyone knows what they are? They are just too common to be random weathering. A trace fossil?

 

August 15, 2009 + Posted in Petrology, Paleontology, Local Geology, Sweden +


5 Comments »

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  1. I would have guessed that it is the result of weathering. Water accumulates more in small pits and enhances corrosion of the limestone. The next rain washes out the dissolved Ca and the circle starts again. Are the features primarily on the top side that is exposed to weather or also on the sides and underside?

    Comment by Lost Geologist — August 15, 2009 @ 9:45 am

  2. Lost: It seems to be located ony on one side. Thanks for your input.

    Comment by Antimonite — August 15, 2009 @ 2:04 pm

  3. wow! is that the only one or there are many? btw, can we exchange links?

    Comment by Cezille — August 21, 2009 @ 5:46 pm

  4. It’s a form of karren, or small-scale solutional sculpture that develops under a shallow soil cover in karstic areas.

    Comment by mark — August 22, 2009 @ 2:10 pm

  5. mark: Thanks. You have convinced me.

    Comment by Antimonite — August 22, 2009 @ 3:46 pm

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