Marble Tombstone Weathering

Gravestone weathering department of geography.

Marble tombstone weathering.

Studying rock types weathering processes and human history in a cemetery. Maps of surface recession rates measured from 8 438 century old vermont marble tombstones at 320 cemeteries. Marble for example is assumed to decay mainly through dissolution by acidic rainfall natural rainfall is slightly acidic being a weak carbonic acid with a ph of 5 6. Marble tombstone weathering and air pollution in north america thomas c.

Meierding department of geography and center for climatic research university of delaware newark de 19716 fax 302 831 8273 e mail buc18279 um udel edu abstract. Weathering rates of marble in urban environments eastern australia. This removes matrix and grains from the surface of the gravestone leaving a rough sugary feel. Aspect is the compass direction in which the headstones face.

If the marble headstone is in good condition proceed to the next step. Physical weathering is the toll put on rocks by processes like frost ice splitting abrasion from things hitting it plant roots decompression at the surface remember most rocks are formed. Thaw weathering as temperatures fall faster in the open air than under trees. In many graveyards the head stones are aligned with the engraved side facing to the east.

Therefore in west yorkshire the back of the headstone faces the prevailing winds so should be more weathered. First check the condition of the marble headstone that you want to clean.