Development Of Dolines Research Articles

Subsurface structures of solution dolines inferred from electrical resistivity tomography: A hypothesis on the evolutionary process of solution dolines at the Akiyoshi-dai Plateau, southwest Japan

The evolution of solution dolines is regulated by carbonate dissolution mediated by water and CO2. The subsurface structure influences the evolutionary pattern of the dolines. Despite the significant effects of enlarged joints or shafts on the development of solution dolines, a few studies have identified the subsurface structures of multiple solution dolines. To this end, we utilized 2-D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) at 15 dolines and an outcrop in the Akiyoshi-dai Plateau, Japan, which is composed of massive and fractured limestone lithology. The results of ERT exhibited the following: (i) a similar range for electrical resistivity in parallel to the topographic relief; (ii) an increase in resistivity with depth, and; (iii) a low resistivity zone characterized by <400 Ωm, at shallow areas. Some electrical resistivity distributions exhibited high resistivity zones that were vertically split by low or intermediate resistivity zones. Our results and interpretation revealed that the main shafts, which play a substantial role in the evolution of solution dolines, can be formed around the doline bottoms rather than in their central sectors. We propose a hypothesis that can better account for the subsurface structures and the development of dolines in Akiyoshi-dai. Our hypothesis suggests that the role of main shafts in the evolution of solution dolines can be superseded by another influential joint system with a potential shaft during their evolution, resulting in the ubiquity of main shafts beneath the doline bottoms. This hypothesis would further our understanding of the intricate role of shafts in the evolution of karst systems involving solution dolines.

Development Environments and Factors of Subsidence Dolines

This study describes the development environments of subsidence dolines based on literary data (development environments create favorable conditions for the local denudation of superficial deposit and thus, for the development of depressions). Development environments are the inclination of the bearing surface, the secondary porosity of the bedrock, the characteristics of the cover, water influx into the cover, karstwater and groundwater, melting permafrost, and anthropogenic activity. These may become optimal when controlled by various geological, geomorphological, and climatic factors. Development environments may be qualitative (there is doline development in case of its presence) and quantitative (doline development occurs in case of suitable quantitative values). The development environment groups of subsidence dolines are environment groups independent of water level, environment groups dependent on water level, and anthropogenic environment groups. In the case of an environment group independent of water level, surface morphology, cover characteristics, geomorphic evolution, and water supply are determining, while in case of an environment group dependent of water level, subsurface water level and its fluctuations and the characteristics of rainfalls interrupting dry seasons are crucial. Anthropogenic impacts mainly affect doline development through water balance.

Karstik Kapalı Depresyonların (Dolinlerin) Morfometrik Analizleri

Dolines (karstic closed depressions) are surface landforms that are characteristic of karstic areas. Since tectonic, morphologic, and climatic features greatly affect doline development, morphology, and distribution, dolines can provide important information about the morpho-tectonic evolution of karstic areas. Although there are many calculations used in determining doline morphometry, but only a few are common. In this study, we review the parameters commonly used in determining doline morphometry and offer examples from around the world, specifically the Taurus Mountains.&nbsp;

Geology and geomorphology of the Palaeolithic site at High Lodge, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England

Summary The geology of the High Lodge site at Mildenhall is described and re-interpreted as a sequence of deposits related to a doline formed in the underlying Chalk. Doline development in the area is considered in detail. Lacustrine sediments filling the depression contain a Palaeolithic industry and pollen assemblages that indicate contemporaneous coniferous woodland. The High Lodge sequence, at the northern end of the Warren Hill ridge, is related to the Three Hills site at the southern end of the ridge and to recent exposures near the Beech Clump, midway on the ridge. The geology of the three sites combines to demonstrate a series of ice-marginal proglacial successions along the west and south side of the Warren Hill ridge, marking a glacial limit. This Skertchly Line limit, on the eastern flank of the Fenland, resulted from the Tottenhill ice advance into Fenland late in the Wolstonian Stage ( c . 160 ka; during Marine Isotope Stage [MIS] 6). Structural evidence indicates that the doline filling was initially thrust glaciotectonically by the glacial ice. These sediments were subsequently disturbed by diapirism arising from loading by meltwater deposits and possibly by periglacial processes. The doline strata predate the ice advance and represent a period of cool temperate vegetation, probably of interstadial character, earlier in the Wolstonian, during MIS 7. The High Lodge Palaeolithic industry is associated with this cool temperate period, not with pre-Anglian times as formerly proposed. At Three Hills, artefacts occur within the proglacial deposits and are reworked from an earlier period. The geomorphology of the Warren Hill ridge is described and an interpretation of the ice front presented. The relation of the area to the wider Fenland landscape development is discussed.

Sediments in collapse dolines on the Kras plateau, Slovenia

The article presents a detailed geomorphological analysis of collapse dolines on the Kras plateau in Slovenia with particular stress on the morphogenetic development of their floors covered with loamy sediment. Granulometric and mineral composition of the loamy sediment were analysed and the depths of sediment fills were established with electrical resistivity imaging (ERI). Collapse doline development and transformation processes are discussed, and various formation mechanisms of flat loamy doline floors are considered in the article. The results of the study revealed that loamy fills may represent sedimentation of suspended material from floodwaters that inundated the lower parts of the collapse dolines, or could have originated in now-demolished cave passages on the slopes that were filled with finer material. Some sediment has been accumulated as an aeolian deposit.

Doline probability map using logistic regression and GIS technology in the central Ebro Basin (Spain)

In the surroundings of Zaragoza, karstification processes are especially intense in covered karst areas where fluvial terraces lie directly on Tertiary evaporites. Since the beginning of Quaternary, these processes have lead to the development of collapse and subsidence dolines with a wide range of sizes, which have significant economic impacts. To reduce economic impact and increase safety, a regional analysis of this phenomenon is needed for spatial management. Therefore, a probability map of dolines was developed using logistic regression and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. This paper covers the selection of input data, manipulation of data using the GIS technology, and the use of logistic regression to generate a doline probability map. The primary variable in the doline development in this area is geomorphology, represented by the location of endorheic areas and different terrace levels. Secondary variables are the presence of irrigation and the water table gradient.

Dewatering of the Far West Rand dolomitic area by gold mining activities and subsequent ground instability

AbstractIn the 1960s, the Malmani dolomite landscape of the Transvaal Sequence on the Far West Rand experienced ground subsidence in the form of sudden catastrophic sinkhole formations and extensive development of dolines by gradual subsidence. The management of the gold mines had decided to dewater some of the dolomitic compartments to allow their workers to extract the gold‐bearing ore of the underlying Witwatersrand Supergroup economically and safely.Several of the gold mines on the Far West Rand have now reached the end of their life span and are due to be decommissioned. Dewatering will be discontinued. Some of the dykes that form the boundaries of the individual dolomitic compartments have been breached by mining activities so that flooding of one compartment will eventually impact on the other compartments. The eventual static level of the water‐table in this new ‘super‐compartment’, as well as the points of decant of the dolomitic water, are uncertain. Flooding of the ‘super‐compartment’ will cause the original dolomitic eyes feeding the Wonderfontein Spruit to start flowing again, which will impact on groundwater quality and ground instability. Of particular concern is the occurrence of millions of tonnes of mine tailings within the catchment area.The most important problem in the catchment area is that the sedimentary phase of the Wonderfontein Spruit and its impoundments is continually being enriched with heavy metals and radio nuclides originating at the mining works. These could be remobilized and released into the downstream water, causing deterioration of water quality for downstream users. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Spatial distribution of dolines as an indicator of recent deformations on the Velebit mountain range (Croatia)/La répartition spatiale des dolines comme indicateur de contraintes tectoniques. Montagne de Velebit (Croatie)

Summary In the karstic domain, dolines can be used as a sensitive indicator of tectonic activity. Even if the development of dolines is primarily the consequence of the rock nature and climatic conditions, its spatial repartition is basically determined by the geological structure. The spatial analysis of dolines allows us the measurement of strain and stress to which the studied area has been submitted during recent periods. The Velebit mountain range, as a part of the Outer Dinarides, seems very interesting due to the numerous- ness of dolines and its recent tectonic activity. This analysis has been realised owing to the centre to centre method (Ramsay, 1967; Fry, 1979) as well as to the projection method (Panozzo, 1984), which were, both adapted to the of dolines.

Analogue models of alluvial doline development

Quaternary terraces of the Ebro river near Zaragoza show many alluvial dolines developed owing to dissolution of Miocene gypsum. Five main factors control the doline distribution at a 1 : 50 000 scale : 1. low sulphate content in water, 2. high annual variations of the water table, 3. "palaeovalleys" in the Tertiary/Quaternary boundary, 4. thickness of the Quaternary cover and 5. low lutite percentage. Ten small-scale experiments, which were carried out using a salt substratum below a sand or silt cover, corroborate the importance of the last three variables. Experimental dolines first appear over trenches of the soluble substratum, in thin cover areas or where the grain size of the cover was coarse. The two main types of surface morphology (basin, well) appear in good correlation with two types of internal structure (funnel, vault) and two basic mechanisms of evacuation and sinking (dragging + slow subsidence, solution voids + sudden collapse).

A new history of cave development at Bungonia, N.S.W.

SUMMARY Bungonia Caves are the result of three distinct phases of speleogenesis. The first, Late Cretaceous phase is characterised by the development of horizontal passages close to the plateau surface. Caves developed in the lower limestone during this phase probably drained southward to risings in Becks Gully. The second, Palaeocene phase resulted in the development of dolines and large dynamic phreatic conduits. Caves extended to depths approximating the level of the Efflux and drainage from caves in the lower limestone was captured by the caves in the middle limestone, rising above the level of the Efflux. The second phase ended when the caves were filled with laminated clays, blocking underground drainage, and the surface was buried by quartz‐rich fluvial sediments prior to the Eocene. The third, and continuing phase, which began in the Late Tertiary, is characterised by the development of vadose shafts and by the removal of sediment deposited following the second phase.

Doline Morphology and Development in Barbados

ABSTRACT In Barbados, dolines developed on an uplifted series of raised reef terraces provide a unique opportunity to investigate the long-term formation and change of karstic depressions. In a 124.5 km2 area, 1179 dolines were located and 360 surveyed. Dolines occupy only about 1 percent of the total area. There are spatial controls on doline development, but dolines in areas of different elevation and age differ from one another in a way that suggests sequential development. Doline densities increase up to an altitude of 150 m and decline thereabove. Distributions indicate clustering, but there is little evidence of structural controls producing preferred long-axis orientation. Doline and dry valley development is competitive, and there are two doline subpopulations: a larger one in interfluve areas and a smaller one in valleys. Doline complexes develop through time partly by expansion, interference, and coalescence and partly by subdivision.

Quantitative morphology of landforms in carbonate rock basins in the Appalachian Highlands

Karst topography occurs in the Appalachian Highlands where carbonate rocks are exposed. The principal landforms are sinking streams, dolines, and caves. Landform measures were devised for the drainage features and for dolines and applied to 62 small basins between Pennsylvania and Alabama. Conventional measures included a relief factor, drainage factors, and size and shape factors. Karst measures included carbonate rock fractions, measures of doline development, and measures of internal drainage. Factor analysis showed that the 15 measures contained only five independent variables. Various stream length measures are related to the basin area in much the same way as streams in noncarbonate basins showing the fluviokarst character of the Appalachian basins. Sinking stream length, SINKL, relates to the area of the sinking stream catchment, AB, by SINKL = 2.29 AB 0.85 . Doline karst was measured by either the area of internal drainage into dolines, AD, or by the number of dolines, N, per unit area of carbonate rock. These measures are related by AD = 0.0136 N 1.17 . The frequency of occurrence of dolines falls off exponentially with depth independent of rock type or structural setting. Comparison of several measures of karst in relation to rock type shows smallest and fewest dolines in the Ordovician dolomites and an intermediate size and number in the Ordovician limestones. The largest and most numerous dolines occur in the flat-lying Mississippian limestones of the Appalachian Plateau. This result may be an expression of the more sluggish solution kinetics of dolomite compared to calcite.