WHAT IS KARST?

ITALY

SLOVENIA

TWO DOMINANT TYPES OF KARSTLANDSCAPE?

Determined by the origin or “genesis” of the waters doing the solution

TWO DOMINANT TYPES OF KARSTLANDSCAPE?

1. Autogenic: Waters originate as precipitation directly over the region of Karst. Auto = “self” genesis

TWO DOMINANT TYPES OF KARSTLANDSCAPE?

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!

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL FEATURES OF AN AUTOGENIC KARST

LANDSCAPE?

Central and South Florida

Limestone

Limestone

Sand

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

CO2 concentration in soil 10x that of atmosphere!

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

Highly acid water low

CaCO3 content.Aggressive!

Picks out layers (bedding planes) and vertical joints

for erosion.

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

Bedding planes and vertical joints

enlarged by erosion.

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

Groundwatertable

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

Groundwatertable rises -more water,

greater soil mass

Limestone

Sand

H20 + CO2 = H2CO3

InfiltrationCapillary Water

Heavy, saturated soil collapses into

underground cavern system, causing surface

sinkhole.

Period of heavy rains such as tropical storms, hurricanes or stationary fronts

Limestone

Sand

During protracted drought the water table

drops, leaving some caverns

near the surface empty of water.

Limestone

Sand

Roof of cave collapses when no

longer supported by water,

and soil falls into sinkhole

Limestone

Sand

Most local streams flow into, but not out of lakes. They leave the region

underground via the cave

system.

ORLANDO AREA

“SINK HOLE PLAIN”, WEST VIRGINIA

CockPit Country, Jamaica

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL FEATURES OF AN ALLOGENIC

KARST LANDSCAPE?North Central Florida

LIMESTONE

NorthGainesville

SouthGainesville

100’

CLAY

LIMESTONE

NorthGainesville

SouthGainesville

100’

150’

SAND

CLAY

LIMESTONE

NorthGainesville

SouthGainesville

100’

150’

SANDHigh Infiltration

Rates

SANDHigh Infiltration

Rates

CLAYLow Infiltration

Rates

SANDHigh Infiltration

Rates

CLAYLow Infiltration

Rates

Excess Water fills pores – “perched” or “surficial” water table

SANDHigh Infiltration

Rates

CLAYLow Infiltration

Rates

Free or Gravitational Water moves horizontallyalong the geologic junction.

Excess Water fills pores – “perched” or “surficial” water table

Water table intersects land surface as “springs” and

“seeps”, the origin of most creeks in Gainesville

HOGTOWN CREEK BOULEWARE SPRINGS

GLEN SPRINGS

SAND

CLAY

LIMESTONE

NorthGainesville

SouthGainesville

100’

150’

Payne’s Prairie

SAND

CLAY

LIMESTONE

NorthGainesville

SouthGainesville

100’

150’

Biven’s ArmKanapaha Prairie

SAND

CLAY

LIMESTONE

NorthGainesville

SouthGainesville

100’

150’O’Leno and River RiseState Parks

O’LENOSTATE PARK

RIVER RISESTATE PARK

Gainesville Sun May 15, 2012

Gainesville Sun May 15, 2012

Limestone concealedbeneath Hawthorne Formation

Limestone at or near the surface

O’Leno andRiver RiseParks

PaynesPrairie