WHAT IS KARST? ITALY SLOVENIA

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

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

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!

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

Limestone

Sand

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary Water

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary Water CO 2 concentration in soil 10x that of atmosphere!

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary Water Highly acid water low CaCO 3 content. Aggressive! Picks out layers (bedding planes) and vertical joints for erosion.

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary Water Bedding planes and vertical joints enlarged by erosion.

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary Water Groundwater table

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary Water Groundwater table rises - more water, greater soil mass

Limestone Sand H CO 2 = H 2 CO 3 Infiltration Capillary 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 North Gainesville South Gainesville 100’

CLAY LIMESTONE North Gainesville South Gainesville 100’ 150’

SAND High Infiltration Rates

SAND High Infiltration Rates CLAY Low Infiltration Rates

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

SAND High Infiltration Rates CLAY Low Infiltration Rates Free or Gravitational Water moves horizontally along 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 North Gainesville South Gainesville 100’ 150’ Payne’s Prairie

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

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

O’LENO STATE PARK RIVER RISE STATE PARK

Gainesville Sun May 15, 2012

Limestone concealed beneath Hawthorne Formation Limestone at or near the surface O’Leno and River Rise Parks Paynes Prairie