Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Geosciences

Department name when degree awarded

Geology

Committee Chair(s)

W. David Liddell

Committee

W. David Liddell

Committee

Robert Q. Oaks, Jr.

Committee

Thomas E. Lachmar

Abstract

Caves are access points into the subsurface for humans, water, and, in many cases, contaminants. Many caves are connected via a series of conduits that carry water from one cave to another and, eventually, to a spring. However, because most of these conduits are inaccessible, it is difficult to determine the pathway groundwater takes on its way to the spring. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of folds, fractures, and rock type upon the formation and orientation of cave passages as well as groundwater flow patterns in the Tony Grove alpine karst system.

Although water from this system is not a source for human consumption, studying this relatively easily-accessible system allowed insight into how water travels through alpine karst systems. This may potentially aid in future studies of other similar systems that are used as a source of water for human consumption.

The karst system was characterized by geologically mapping the surface and subsurface. Previous studies and non-toxic water-tracing techniques were also used to aid the assessment of how water travels underground from the study area to the spring. The findings indicate that the development of caves in the Tony Grove area is highly influenced by the fractured rock. The folded rock and its geologic orientation, as well as impermeable rock layers, also influence how water travels through this karst system.

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