WHAT IS KARST?

1. WHAT IS KARST? SLOVENIA ITALY

2. TWO DOMINANT TYPES OF KARST LANDSCAPE? Determined by the origin or “genesis” of the waters doing the solution

3. TWO DOMINANT TYPES OF KARST LANDSCAPE? 1. Autogenic: Waters originate as precipitation directly over the region of Karst. Auto = “self” genesis

4. TWO DOMINANT TYPES OF KARST LANDSCAPE? 1. Autogenic: Waters originate as precipitation directly over the region of Karst……. Auto = “self” genesis. 2. Allogenic: Waters originate in some region other than the Karst and then flow over the limestone – generally as a river….. Allo = Spanish “Allí” = “there” … i.e. Not here!

5. WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL FEATURES OF AN AUTOGENIC KARST LANDSCAPE? Central and South Florida

6. Limestone

7. Sand Limestone

8. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Limestone

9. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water Limestone

10. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water CO2concentration in soil 10x that of atmosphere! Limestone

11. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water Limestone Highly acid water low CaCO3 content. Aggressive! Picks out layers (bedding planes) and vertical joints for erosion.

12. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water Limestone Bedding planes and vertical joints enlarged by erosion.

13. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water Groundwater table Limestone

14. H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water Groundwater table rises - more water, greater soil mass Limestone

15. Period of heavy rains such as tropical storms, hurricanes or stationary fronts H20 + CO2 = H2CO3 Sand Infiltration Capillary Water Heavy, saturated soil collapses into underground cavern system, causing surface sinkhole. Limestone

16. During protracted drought the water table drops, leaving some caverns near the surface empty of water. Sand Limestone

17. Roof of cave collapses when no longer supported by water, and soil falls into sinkhole Sand Limestone

18. Most local streams flow into, but not out of lakes. They leave the region underground via the cave system. Sand Limestone

20. ORLANDO AREA

21. “SINK HOLE PLAIN”, WEST VIRGINIA

22. CockPit Country, Jamaica

23. WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL FEATURES OF AN ALLOGENIC KARST LANDSCAPE? North Central Florida

24. 100’ LIMESTONE South Gainesville North Gainesville

25. 150’ CLAY 100’ LIMESTONE South Gainesville North Gainesville

26. SAND 150’ CLAY 100’ LIMESTONE South Gainesville North Gainesville

27. SAND High Infiltration Rates

28. SAND High Infiltration Rates CLAY Low Infiltration Rates

29. SAND High Infiltration Rates Excess Water fills pores – “perched” or “surficial” water table CLAY Low Infiltration Rates

30. SAND High Infiltration Rates Excess Water fills pores – “perched” or “surficial” water table CLAY Low Infiltration Rates Free or Gravitational Water moves horizontally along the geologic junction.

31. Water table intersects land surface as “springs” and “seeps”, the origin of most creeks in Gainesville

32. BOULEWARE SPRINGS HOGTOWN CREEK GLEN SPRINGS

33. SAND 150’ CLAY 100’ LIMESTONE Payne’s Prairie South Gainesville North Gainesville

35. SAND 150’ CLAY 100’ LIMESTONE Biven’s Arm Kanapaha Prairie South Gainesville North Gainesville

37. O’Leno and River Rise State Parks SAND 150’ CLAY 100’ LIMESTONE South Gainesville North Gainesville

38. O’LENO STATE PARK RIVER RISE STATE PARK

39. Gainesville Sun May 15, 2012