Doral Conner

Publication Date

6-1976

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Ronald Dilamarter, Willard, Cockrill, Noland Fields

Degree Program

Department of Geography and Geology

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

A field study of the lower reaches of the Long Creek drainage area in southeastern Allen County, Kentucky, established the karst character of that area. The area heretofore had been described as a non-karst area. Four swallow holes, which individually or collectively totally pirate Long Creek, were identified. Two major resurgences of the pirated flow were located and described. A detailed study of a portion of the Long Creek drainage area revealed thirty-four springs, all of which were pirated at least once, and no flow from these springs reached Long Creek by surficial routes. The field survey also revealed dolines and a major cavern, Carpenter’s Cave. The geologic formation responsible for the karst features within the Long Creek drainage area is the Louisville limestone of Silurian age. These strata are characteristically karstic wherever exposed. The impermeability of the Chattanooga shale which overlies the Louisville limestone was established by the analysis of spring piracy and resurgence. The phreatic character of the Carpenter’s Cave and other karst features led to the conclusion that these karst features were developed prior to the deposition of the impermeable Chattanooga shale during Devonian time.

Disciplines

Earth Sciences | Geography | Geology | Hydrology | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

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