From subsurface to surface: a multidisciplinary approach to decoding uplift histories in tectonically‐active karst landscapes

Pennos, Christos; Lauritzen, Stein‐Erik; Vouvalidis, Konstantinos; Cowie, P. A.; Pechlivanidou, Sofia; Gkarlaouni, Charikleia; Styllas, Michael; Tsourlos, Panagiotis; Mouratidis, Antonios

doi:10.1002/esp.4605

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The cave surveys were used to classify the plan pattern of each cave into branchwork and maze types following the scheme outlined by Palmer (1991). The palaeo-hydrology of each cave system was deduced from flow direction indicators including scallops, passage geometry and gradient, and, where present, sedimentary structures such as cross bedding and ripple marks recognised in the cave infill (Ballesteros et al, 2019;Pennos et al, 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratigraphical influence on chalk cave development in Upper Normandy, France: implications for chalk hydrogeology

Ballesteros¹,

Farrant²,

Nehmé³

et al. 2020

IJS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Classically, the Upper Cretaceous Chalk Group aquifer of northwest Europe is conceptualized as a homogenous dual-porosity aquifer, with high porosity related to its fine-grained porous matrix, and intermediate hydraulic conductivity associated with fractures. However, an increasing number of hydrological studies visualize the Chalk as a heterogeneous karst aquifer due to the localised presence of dissolutionally enlarged conduits. Field investigation suggests that cave development is guided by distinct stratigraphical and tectonic discontinuities within the rock mass. Identifying which potential inception horizons within the Chalk aquifer are favoured, and why, is important for developing future robust conceptual models of groundwater behaviour. This study focusses on the Chalk of the Upper Normandy region in France where karstic conduits are common and are linked to major sources of groundwater for public water supply. We analyse the geometry and geomorphology of six chalk caves exposed in the Seine Valley with an aggregated length of over 5.7 km, along with other caves in southern England, and identify the key inception horizons associated with their development. The data shows that prominent Turonian, Coniacian and Santonian hardgrounds have influenced the development of 68% of the studied caves length, with sheet-flints and marl seams also playing a prominent role. Caves developed on or between hardgrounds typically display a complex interlinked anastomotic passage network, whereas passages subjected to paragenetic conditions caused by a high sediment flux tend to be concentrated into fewer, larger conduits. The new evidence from Normandy and Southern England demonstrates the role of lithostratigraphy, and in particular stratigraphical discontinuities on conduit development. The data reinforces the idea that the Chalk aquifer should be viewed as a heterogeneous triple porosity karstic aquifer, in which conduit development is influenced by key stratigraphical discontinuities. This improved conceptual model can be used to develop better groundwater flow models and improved catchment delineation.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratigraphical influence on chalk cave development in Upper Normandy, France: implications for chalk hydrogeology

Ballesteros¹,

Farrant²,

Nehmé³

et al. 2020

IJS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In such conditions, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) can be of great use, as the low electrical resistivity of the subsurface ensures a good electrical signal and less ‘noise’ in the measured data. The ERT method has been successfully used to analyse subsurface karst landforms worldwide (Cheng et al, 2019; Pennos et al, 2019; Pezdir et al, 2021; Youssef et al, 2012; Zarroca et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of buried karst sinkholes under a bog using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)

Džeriņš

Karušs

Lamsters

et al. 2023

Earth Surf Processes Landf

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Active evaporite karst processes in the Baltic states are associated with a few relatively small regions where gypsum rocks can be found close to the Earth's surface. One of these areas lies in the vicinity of the Pandu bog. However, such a possibly active karst region, which is covered by peat and in which the mapping of karst formations is complex, has not been previously investigated. In this study, we present a buried and peat‐filled karst cover‐collapse sinkhole mapping approach that involves a combination of ground‐penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and conventional boreholes. A detailed map of the bog's substratum topography was constructed from a geophysical surveying dataset. It reveals 15 distinctly expressed sinkholes with diameters of several tens of metres. Overall, 140 potential sinkholes were also mapped using remote sensing data in the vicinity of the bog. Higher electrical resistivity anomalies were identified inside the peat; they coincide with scatter‐free zones in GPR data and water layers in boreholes. Highly disturbed internal peat layering was also detected in these sinkholes. It is suggested that these water layers and disturbed peat layering may have formed due to the subsidence of the lower peat layers, and thus they represent relatively younger sinkholes. This is also supported by evidence from orthophoto maps, which showed the formation and disappearance of surficial lakes and depressions on the bog surface. Our results revealed the presence of active and widespread karst processes under the bog that have not been previously noticed despite the fact that they have implications for the assessment of geohazards in this area.

show abstract

“…For this reason, the identification of paleo-water tables is a relevant tool in deciphering the depositional and diagenetic histories of a region and also in the paleogeographical and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of subaerial exposure surfaces. Karst researchers have often discussed the degree of applicability of the water table concept to karst systems because of the complexity of groundwater flows in this context [6] (see [7], pp. 64-69, for a concise and complete review).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectono-Sedimentary Evolution of the Madrid Basin (Spain) during the Late Miocene: Data from Paleokarst Profiles in Diagenetically-Complex Continental Carbonates

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An intra-Vallesian (Upper Miocene) paleokarst developed at the top of the Intermediate Miocene Unit in the continental intracratonic Madrid Basin is recognized. This paleokarst is an early shallow, tabular-shaped karst that shows a marked control by the depositional facies pattern and lithologies. By integrating morphological, petrological, and geochemical data, three hydrogeological zones were established throughout the paleokarstic profiles: (i) a paleo-vadose zone, characterized by vertically elongated caves and vadose cementation; (ii) a 3–7 m thick paleo-epiphreatic zone (paleo-water table fringe), with development of stratiform breccia bodies, the superimposition of both vadose and phreatic features, and the lowest Fe and Mn contents in host-rock carbonates; and (iii) a paleo-phreatic zone characterized by an increase in δ13C values and the predominance of phreatic cementation. The paleogeographic reconstruction for the intra-Vallesian paleokarst using profiles revealed relative topographic highs to the north and topographic lows to the south, drawing the paleokarst landscape. Immediately overlaying the paleokarst surface are fluvio-lacustrine facies belonging to the Miocene Upper Unit (Late Vallesian to Late Turolian). Their lowermost deposits consist of fluvial terrigenous facies deposited by approximately N–S fluvial streams, and pass upward into fluvio-lacustrine fresh-water limestones. This paleokarstic surface represents a major change in the evolution of sedimentary patterns of basin, from endorheic to exorheic conditions, as the result of a change from compressive to extensional conditions in the tectonic regime.

show abstract

From subsurface to surface: a multidisciplinary approach to decoding uplift histories in tectonically‐active karst landscapes

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

Stratigraphical influence on chalk cave development in Upper Normandy, France: implications for chalk hydrogeology

Stratigraphical influence on chalk cave development in Upper Normandy, France: implications for chalk hydrogeology

Investigation of buried karst sinkholes under a bog using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)

Tectono-Sedimentary Evolution of the Madrid Basin (Spain) during the Late Miocene: Data from Paleokarst Profiles in Diagenetically-Complex Continental Carbonates

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About