Yule marble shear strength through "bedding Plane"

["Simon Brown" <moonsong@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Dear Lazy Bill,

I'm not a geologist, but I understand that crystal growth in any stone takes
place normal (at 90 degrees) to the direction of crystal-growing forces.
These forces are usually heat and pressure (metamorphic rock- marbles), or
cooling (intrusive and extrusive igneous rock- granite and basalt). As these
rocks are completely recrystallised during the process, the resultant
crystal structure has little to do with the original bedding direction.

Perhaps the reason Carrara marble is so homogenous because it underwent
recrystallisation by mineral re-solution under an even pressure as the
column of sediment was deposited?

Veining in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks comes from deposited minerals
that are then dissolved in solution and transported along bedding planes and
cracks, causing secondary staining. Cutting stone along or across the
bedding plane gives different visual results according to the way in which
the veining and staining occurs.

Did you see the article on Yule marble in the recent
http://geology.about.com/ e-publication? There are plenty of Geology links
there. Have a look at; http://geology.about.com/b/a/065906.htm

Reading about these theories of rock formation makes me feel about as
insignificant as a plankton in the grand scheme of things.

Regards,

Simon