Three Dimensional Geometric Modeling and Visualization of Phreatic Karst Caves with Implications for Hydrologic and Geomorphic Studies
Kincaid, Todd R., Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3086, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, kincaid@uwyo.edu
Extensive surveys of several underwater cave systems have been conducted in the Floridan aquifer of north Florida and the Taurus Mountain and Antalya Travertine aquifers of southern Turkey. Azimuth, depth, width, and height measurements were collected at several survey stations along linear paths through the conduits. These measurements were used to produce Cartesian coordinates for points along the cross-sectional perimeter of the cave at each survey station. Additional cross-sections were generated between survey stations by linear interpolation. Using the Cartesian coordinates and Earth Vision modeling software, accurate three dimensional geometric models were generated for all the phreatic cave systems investigated.
Hydrologic and topographic maps were superimposed onto the conduit models to investigate the relationship of those variables to conduit development. The most significant local recharge areas were easily identified where the conduits trend closest to land surface and are not overlain by a confining layer. Two morphologic categories that describe conduit development have been identified. Single conduit or dendritic conduit systems form where the aquifer is confined and are associated with larger hydraulic gradients. Anastamose conduit systems form where the aquifer is unconfined and are associated with smaller hydraulic gradients. In addition to the hydrologic and topographic maps used in this study, any data such as water chemistry currently being collected by several multidisciplinary researchers can easily be incorporated into these models.
The lack or inaccessibility of conduit maps has been a major inhibitor to phreatic karst research. This modeling technique offers exciting new possibilities for investigating and visualizing phreatic karst cave systems because it uses available survey data to generate accurate three dimensional conduit models over which any other relevant data can be viewed.
Presented ate the 1997 Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Salt Lake City, Utah.