Cave and Karst Science at AAG 2006
Geographic Approaches to Understanding Karst
Karst landscapes—terranes typically characterized by caves, closed depressions, disrupted surface drainage, and underground drainage systems—are widespread. Ford and Williams (1989) estimate that karst landforms cover seven to ten percent of the earth's ice-free land surface and approximately 25 percent of the world's population either lives above or utilizes karst aquifers. Further, common natural hazards in karstlands include unexpected flooding, water scarcity, degraded water quality, ground subsidence, and catastrophic collapse. Since the processes that shape karst landscapes are both complex and occur primarily in the subsurface, the paucity of data has restricted scientific endeavors.
Over the last several decades, however, geographically-based technological and intellectual innovations have evolved to more easily allow collection, management, and analysis of karst data. In particular, developments within geographic information systems, global positioning systems, high-resolution satellite imagery and remote sensing, geostatistics, and ruggedized field survey and monitoring equipment, promise to further the understanding of karst systems.
This session invites participants to discuss the following two broad topics:
Karst landscapes—terranes typically characterized by caves, closed depressions, disrupted surface drainage, and underground drainage systems—are widespread. Ford and Williams (1989) estimate that karst landforms cover seven to ten percent of the earth's ice-free land surface and approximately 25 percent of the world's population either lives above or utilizes karst aquifers. Further, common natural hazards in karstlands include unexpected flooding, water scarcity, degraded water quality, ground subsidence, and catastrophic collapse. Since the processes that shape karst landscapes are both complex and occur primarily in the subsurface, the paucity of data has restricted scientific endeavors.
Over the last several decades, however, geographically-based technological and intellectual innovations have evolved to more easily allow collection, management, and analysis of karst data. In particular, developments within geographic information systems, global positioning systems, high-resolution satellite imagery and remote sensing, geostatistics, and ruggedized field survey and monitoring equipment, promise to further the understanding of karst systems.
This session invites participants to discuss the following two broad topics:
- geographically-centered approaches to better understanding karst landscapes and processes. Example topics include applied field studies, techniques, hazards assessment, extraterrestrial karst, karst-societal interaction, GIS applications, simulation, and data integration.
- the contemporary state of karst science, with intent to define a karst geography research agenda.
posted by Alan Glennon at
12:34 PM
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