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

Committee Member

Shaw, John

Second Committee Member

Sharman, Glenn

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.

Available for download on Thursday, September 11, 2025

Included in

Geology Commons

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