Nice simple explanation of karst groundwater

Aug 20, 2014

Nice simple explanation of karst groundwaterThe Kentucky Geological Survey/University of Kentucky (KGS/UKY) have a great page explaining karst groundwater: http://www.uky.edu/KGS/water/general/karst/karstin... 
Kentucky is home to Mammoth Cave and some of the world's most extensive karst.
Excerpt:
"A karst aquifer is roughly analogous to a roofed-over creek. In comparison, granular or fractured bedrock aquifers have no equivalent "underground river" or channel. The drainage patterns of karst conduits resemble the branching pattern formed by streams flowing above ground across insoluble rocks. We are prevented from seeing the branching pattern of karst conduits because the streams are below ground."
Aha!  That's where we come in!  We are going to try to "see" through the roof and ultimately map the branching pattern.  The red lines on the KGS/UKY map below are conceptual... we want to know the actual pathways in the Gottesacker area.
                
 
 

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About This Project

How does alpine groundwater get from mountaintops to valley springs?

Franklin & Marshall College

In the Alps, there are karst areas where plentiful precipitation soaks right in. This water flows through underground passages to important springs in the valleys below. Except for a few caves, these groundwater conduits are un-mapped. We are testing remote sensing methods for locating them. This will aid land use and water withdrawal planning to protect this critical resource from threats posed by (e.g.) increased development and climate change.