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Q5. Gravestone Rot
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A gravestone, carved in 1850, has lost 3mm of marble
from some parts of its surface. What do you think
the approximate rate of erosion is?
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Erosion is a very slow process. Try again..
There would be nothing left after 150 years!
The rate of erosion is less than that, try again.
Yes. The marble has been eroded at a very slow
rate of 0.02mm per year.
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Marble Gravestones
Charles Wardlow's gravestone, like many others in the cemetery,
is made of marble. The grave has obviously suffered over the
years, not least from the effects of the weather! If you look
closely you'll see that the letters on the panel were engraved
into the marble and then the mason poured lead into the hole.
The lead was then ground back so it was level with the marble.
If you measure the height of the lead above the marble you
can find how much has been eroded by the weather. Divide this
by the age of the gravestone (which can usually be calculated
from the date of death) and you have the rate of erosion.
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