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Origin and Evolution of Sinkholes on the Bellevue-Castalia Karst Plain, North-Central Ohio

Dinsmore, Michael A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1320933862

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, University of Akron, Geology.
The origin and evolution of sinkholes in the Bellevue-Castalia Karst Plain in north-central Ohio are tied to the geologic, hydrologic, and geomorphologic processes that have been occurring in the region for over 400 million years. This region is thought to contain more sinkholes than anywhere else in the state of Ohio, and rapid infiltration of surface waters through these features makes the aquifer highly susceptible to contamination. As a consequence, the need to understand the origin and spatial extent of these features on the karst plain was merited to design a plan to better protect groundwater resources in the region. Through extensive research and the employment of spatial analysis, the origin and evolution of these features was better understood. The karstifiable strata here consist of Late Silurian and Middle Devonian limestones, dolomites, shales, and evaporites (gypsum/anhydrite). Spatial analysis indicates that karst features occur almost exclusively in the Columbus Limestone (Middle Devonian) where it sits atop the regional unconformity (post-Tippecanoe/pre-Kaskaskia) developed on the Bass Islands Dolomite and Salina Group (Late Silurian). The high density of karst features has developed along a dissolution front of Salina anhydrite and gypsum beds where the latter are exposed to undersaturated waters entering through suffosion dolines on the Karst Plain. These sinkholes are mainly controlled by fractures and sometimes cored by collapsed blocks of limestone and dolomite. Regional flow in the aquifer is deep and diffuse, and most flow emerges from the Bass Islands Dolomite and Salina rocks in the form of Vauclusian springs near Lake Erie. Although expression of these features is mostly post-Quaternary, the karstic evolution of this aquifer spans thousands of millennia and continues to this day. Other spatial data suggest that intrastratal dissolution of gypsum/anhydrite in the Salina G unit and lower evaporitic beds below the regional unconformity is a controlling factor on sinkhole development on the Bellevue-Castalia Karst Plain. High hydraulic gradients in the aquifer have served to concentrate sinkhole development on the Karst Plain above a potentiometric low that may mark the active dissolution front of Salina Gypsum/Anhydrite. Evidence of mechanical breakdown into subsurface voids is present in both the northern and southern tiers of the Karst Plain. Additionally, the presence of karst springs emerging at or below the regional unconformity to the north shows obvious hydrogeologic connections across the basal Kaskaskia erosional surface. Indications are that sinkhole development on the Bellevue Castalia Karst Plain is more intimately related to the regional Siluro-Devonian unconformity than previously recognized.
Ira D. Sasowsky, Dr. (Advisor)
John Szabo, Dr. (Committee Member)
A.W.G. Kynze, Dr. (Committee Member)
139 p.
Earth; Environmental Geology; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geographic Information Science; Geological; Geology; Geomorphology
Bellevue Castalia Karst Plain; Karst; Sinkholes; Ohio Karst; Spatial Analysis; Evaporite Karst

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dinsmore, M. A. (2011). Origin and Evolution of Sinkholes on the Bellevue-Castalia Karst Plain, North-Central Ohio [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1320933862

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dinsmore, Michael. Origin and Evolution of Sinkholes on the Bellevue-Castalia Karst Plain, North-Central Ohio. 2011. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1320933862.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dinsmore, Michael. "Origin and Evolution of Sinkholes on the Bellevue-Castalia Karst Plain, North-Central Ohio." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1320933862

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.