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CONDUIT ORIGIN AND PALEOHYDROLOGY OF HAYNES CAVE: MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

Hirko, Jeffrey George

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, University of Akron, Geology.
Caves have the potential to provide insight to landscape evolution. Defining the genesis of the cave in the context of the broader hydrologic system, and dating cave growth, can accomplish this. The present study employed paleohydrologic and sediment studies to construct a relationship between discontinuous sediments preserved in a cave, and paleomagnetic analysis for dating. Haynes Cave exists in the Big Levels karstified limestone upland, in the Appalachian Plateaus physiographic province in Monroe County, West Virginia. The entrance is at 670 m. Current local base level is Second Creek, which has steeply incised to 530 m. The cave is currently dry, with insignificant present catchment. The cave passage shape indicates initial development was phreatic, followed by further development from vadose recharge. The main branch of the cave has two stacked and intertwining levels. These passages trend north-south and end in a gravel choke to the south. A small, sinuous lower level (the Basement) runs 400 m northeast, and 15 m below, the middle section of the main branch. There are multiple episodes of sedimentation and incision. Bedrock scallops and pebble imbrications indicate that drainage in the main level was northwards (toward the present entrance). Flow originated from allochthonous sources that fed into the southern end of the cave, and discharged from a paleospring into Second Creek through the main branch at the northern end of the cave. The recharge area is uncertain, but might have been an upstream reach of Second Creek, or via large sinkholes that are developed on an unnamed major fracture trace. Drainage in the Basement was northeastward, and was fed by vadose water from the main branch. The minimum age of the sediments in the cave exceeds 990 ka, yielding a maximum incision rate of 0.14 m/ka for Second Creek. This rate is much higher than rates calculated in other parts of the Appalachians. Using those rates and elevation above the present base level suggests the cave age may exceed 5.6 Ma. Given the height above base level and disconnection from drainage, this cave may be one of the most ancient in the region.
Ira Sasowsky, Dr. (Advisor)
John Peck, Dr. (Committee Member)
W. Ashley Griffith, Dr. (Committee Member)

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hirko, J. G. (2012). CONDUIT ORIGIN AND PALEOHYDROLOGY OF HAYNES CAVE: MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1336097022

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hirko, Jeffrey. CONDUIT ORIGIN AND PALEOHYDROLOGY OF HAYNES CAVE: MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. 2012. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1336097022.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hirko, Jeffrey. "CONDUIT ORIGIN AND PALEOHYDROLOGY OF HAYNES CAVE: MONROE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1336097022

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)