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Understanding Cave Formation: Groundwater, Karst Topography, and Unique Features

This presentation explores the fascinating process of cave formation and the characteristics of groundwater. We will discuss the role of carbonic acid in eroding limestone, the concept of karst topography, and how groundwater behaves within aquifers. Key topics include the water budget, water table changes, and the unique formations within caves such as stalactites, stalagmites, and sinkholes. Join us to learn about the intricate processes that shape our underground world. For more visual insights, check out the karst movie at watersheds.org.

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Understanding Cave Formation: Groundwater, Karst Topography, and Unique Features

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Presentation Transcript

  1. October 19, 2011

  2. Objective: • Learn how caves form and their features • Agenda: • Ground water notes continued • Water budget activity • Amazing Caves

  3. GROUND WATER - Aquifer • WATER INFILTRATES • STOPS AT IMPERMEABLE LAYER • RISES FROM BOTTOM UP – (LIKE FILLING A BATH TUB) THIS IS CALLED GROUNDWATER or SATURATED ZONE or AQUIFER • TOP OF SATURATED ZONE IS THE WATER TABLE

  4. WATER TABLE RISES WITH RAINFALL FALLS WITH DROUGHT

  5. How caves form • Carbon dioxide from the air combines with precipitation to produce carbonic acid. • The acidic groundwater easily erodes the limestone to produce caves, caverns, sinkholes, and disappearing streams. • This type of topography is referred to as karst topography.

  6. Cave features • When the roof of a cavern collapses a sinkhole is produced. • The limestone and dolomite features that form on the ceiling of caverns as the rock precipitates out of the groundwater are called stalactites (c for ceiling). • The features that form on the ground of the cavern are called stalagmites (g for ground). • Sometimes a stalactite will join with a stalagmite to form a column.

  7. http://www.watersheds.org/earth/karstmovie.htm

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