Date of Graduation
8-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Geology (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Geosciences
Advisor/Mentor
Covington, Matthew D.
Committee Member
Shaw, John B.
Second Committee Member
Sharman, Glenn R.
Keywords
Bedforms; Controls; Karst; Scallops
Abstract
Erosional bedforms, such as scallops, preserve valuable information on the paleohydrologic conditions forming soluble channels in karst systems. While these bedforms are commonly used to interpret past conditions, questions about their formation remain. Mathematical models of speleogenesis in turbulent flow predict that the conditions for forming scallops do not occur in natural carbonate systems. However, scallops are readily found in caves throughout the world. This conundrum has several possible resolutions, but each lacks field-based observations. We present a field-based study of the environments and controls of scallops in gypsum, limestone, and dolostone caves. Our results are based on field observation, petrography, confocal microscopy, environmental scanning microscopy, and photographic analysis. We present characteristics that may control scalloping, such as lithology, and discuss the interplay of erosional processes, spectrums of erosional features, and implications for understanding erosion in karst conduits.
Citation
Oleson, E. W. (2024). Environments and Controls of Erosional Bedforms in Soluble Channels. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5447
