Geomorphology

Question 1

Karst

Answer 1

A term that is applied the topography of a region which is underlain by limestone, dolomite, gypsum, or other rocks which can be affected by dissolution. Karst topography is characterized by surface depressions in which water is intercepted and diverted into underground caverns and passageways.

Question 2

The four conditions necessary for development of karst

Answer 2

1. A soluble rock, preferably limestone, at or near the surface
2. A dense rock, highly jointed and thin-bedded
3. Entrenched valleys below uplands underlain by soluble and well-jointed rocks
4. A region of moderate to abundant rainfall

Question 3

Four important karst regions in the united states

Answer 3

1. Central Florida
2. The Salem-Springfield plateau in southwestern Missouri
3. South-central Indiana to west-central kentucky
4. The great Valley region of Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Question 4

Terra rossa

Answer 4

Karst feature.
A red clayey soil found mantling the ground surface and extending into joints or fractures resulting from surface or near surface solution, usually found on moderate to gentle slopes

Question 5

Lapies

Answer 5

Karst feature.
Grooved or fluted surface resulting from the solution of limestone at or near the surface in an area of high relief. The grooves range in width from a few milimeters to more than a meter in width and commonly result in knifelike ridges.

Question 6

Sinkholes

Answer 6

Karst feature.
A circular depression that is commonly funnel-shaped and can be a few feet to a hundred feet in diameter. This is the most commonly observed feature of karst terrain. Sinkholes have two origins: either the solution of the rock beneath the soil (a doline) or the collapse of the rock over an underground cavity (a collapse sink). In an area riddled with sinkholes, as the sinkholes enlarge with time, they may expand and combine with adjoining sinkholes to form a compound sinkhole.

Question 7

The five principal geomorphological processes

Answer 7

1. Karst
2. Glacial
3. Eolian
4. Stream
5. Shoreline
   (6. Landslide)
   (7. Fault)

Question 8

Sinkhole Pond or Karst Lake

Answer 8

Karst feature

A pond or lake resulting from the clogging by clay of a doline sinkhole that perches water above the water table

Question 9

Swallow hole

Answer 9

Karst feature

A hole in the bottom of a sinkhole which allows surface water runoff or streams to flow into the subsurface cavities

Question 10

Karst window

Answer 10

Karst feature
A hole in the ground which one can observe an underground stream flowing from one cavern to another.
A hole in a cavern which breaks the surface.

Question 11

Uvala

Answer 11

Karst feature
An elongated karst window that has occurred by the collapse of an extensive portion of a subsurface waterway. These features can extend from 1000 feet to a mile or more

Question 12

Polje

Answer 12

Karst feature
A sinkhole formed by solutional modification of the rock (similarly to a doline) in a previously faulted or folded structure. This feature can be 30 miles or more in length.

Question 13

Solution-subsidence trough

Answer 13

Karst feature
A non-tectonic feature, up to 10 miles in length, resulting from concurrent subsidence and solution along joints or faults

Question 14

Sinkhole or karst plain

Answer 14

Karst feature
A limestone plain exhibiting sieve-like characteristics resulting from numerous sinkholes intercepting any surface waters and diverting them to subsurface channels

Question 15

Sinking creeks

Answer 15

Karst Feature

Any surface creek or stream which disappears underground in karst terrain; many disappear into a shallow hole

Question 16

Sink

Answer 16

Karst feature

The point at which a sinking creek ends, often in an observable swallow hole

Question 17

Blind valley

Answer 17

A valley that ends at a swallow hole due to a prolonged period of upstream erosion above the sinkhole

Question 18

Solution valley or karst valley

Answer 18

Karst feature
A transitional feature between surface and subsurface drainage in an area of classic rocks. A special type of blind valley.

Question 19

Natural tunnels and bridges

Answer 19

Karst feature
Features produced by the underground flow of water in karst terrain. When the tunnel sections collapse leaving only small segments, bridges are formed.

Question 20

Hum

Answer 20

Karst feature

Isolated hill remnants due to erosion by solution in karst terrain

Question 21

Cavern

Answer 21

Karst feature
Large caves that may extend in any direction, have one or several levels, and are created by solution of limestone along joints and bedding planes

Question 22

Travertine

Answer 22

Karst feature
A deposit of calcium carbonate precipitate that can be found in limestone caverns coating the cavern walls, floors, and ceilings

Question 23

Dripstone

Answer 23

Karst feature
The travertine deposits that result from the calcium carbonate rich water dripping from the ceilings of a cave or cavern. Stactites and stalagmites

Question 24

Helicite

Answer 24

Karst feature
An irregular twiglike deposit forms in a cavern where there is not enough water to form drips but the surface remains damp or the water comes from a tiny hole or tube within the deposit and the water flows out the end

Question 25

Two categories of glacial features found in the us

Answer 25

Continental glaciation (central an northern us, ice ages)
Alpine glaciation (mountainous areas, Rockies and Cordilleran ranges)