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Karst Environments. The land has different sized blocks of limestone which create fractures in the rock. These fractures are where the water seeps in, dissolves the rock, and forms caves. What is Karst ?.
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The land has different sized blocks of limestone which create fractures in the rock. These fractures are where the water seeps in, dissolves the rock, and forms caves. What is Karst?
Timpanogos Cave National Monument has many different types of Karst that are found with in the monument. They are: • Sink holes • Springs • Disappearing streams • Caves Different Types of Karst
Groundwater dissolves soluble rock, creating fractures and caves. Dissolving continues to form larger caves and fractures. Eventually the earth will give way and create a hole in the ground. Sink Holes
American Fork Canyon has many different springs, the most prominent of which are seen at Cascade Springs. Springs are underground streams that will eventually flow through holes in the stone or earth. Springs
A disappearing stream occurs when stream flow disappears into underlying limestone bedrock. Timpanogos Cave was formed by an under ground stream. Disappearing Streams
Caves are one of the most prominent and infamous Karst Environments. Caves are formed by several different steps. First, a disappearing stream will bring Carbonic Acid (a weak acid found in soil) dissolving the limestone away. Next, the water will bring a mineral called Calcite into the cave. When water enters the cave it deposits the Calcite behind as it continues to drip and flow. Timpanogos Cave has many different formations throughout the cave system that are formed by water and Calcite. Caves
Objective: You will see how a cave is carved into soluble rock by moving water. Materials Each group will need: • 3 salt blocks • Large cup of water • A rag • Large rubber bands • Sink or a large plastic tub • Handful of stones Steps • Predict where the water is going to go. • Set one salt block inside the tub on its long side. Prop up one end with the stones so only one corner is resting on the bottom of the tub. • Place the other two salt blocks side by side at the long side. Put rubber bands around the salt blocks to hold them together. Set them on top of the other salt block inside the tub. • Place a rag in a cup of water with one end sticking out over the side. Very slowly tilt the cup and rag to drip water onto the top of the two salt blocks. Only a few drips a minute works best. • Set the cup so that the rag hangs above the salt blocks. Allow the water to drip for at least overnight. • Remove the rubber bands and open up the blocks to see the cave. Conclusion • Draw and label a diagram of the cave • Write sequence cards describing what happened Salt Block Caves Experiment
Objective • Watch how water dissolves different minerals causing the earth to sink. Materials • Styrofoam cup • Larger cup that will hold the foam cup with some extra space • Water • Sugar • Sand • Small cardboard tube(smaller than a toilet paper roll) • Scissors • Circular piece of foam big enough to fit into the bottom of the Styrofoam cup Steps • Put the piece of foam into the bottom of the Styrofoam cup. • Place the cardboard tube into the center of the cup and fill it a quarter of the way with sugar. • Holding the tube tight against the bottom of the cup, pour sand around the tube, filling the cup. • Gently pull out the cardboard tube. • Fill the larger cup a quarter of the way with warm water. • Place the Styrofoam cup into the water. • Watch for a sinkhole to occur. Conclusion • What causes this to happen? • How would it be different if you used cold water? Sink hole and cave experiment