SS3 First Term Geography Lesson Note – Karst Topography II

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WEEK: 8     

TOPIC: KARST TOPOGRAPHY

CONTENT:

1. UNDERGROUND FEATURE
2. IMPORTANCE OF KARST TOPOGRAPHY

SUB-TOPIC 1: UNDERGROUND FEATURES

CAVES AND CAVERNS: These are underground features of limestone region. There are large underground spaces formed as a result of the sinking and flowing of water into the limestone through joins and bedding planes.

Diagram showing limestone and underground features of karst regions

LIMESTONE GORGE: This has vertical sides formed when the roof of an underground cave collapses or river cuts across and run down into a limestone region.

RESURGENCE OR SPRINGS: These results from water sinking into the underground. When the water meets hard rock underground it re-emerge below the limestone to form spring or resurgence.

STALACTITES: They are found in caves and they grow up, downwards and may dis-stalagmite to form to form pillars. There are sharp slender and downward growing pinnacles that hang from the roof of the caves.

STALAGMITES: These are also underground features of limestone region. There are formed when water drips down stalactite to the floor; evaporation then occurs while calcium is deposited, leading to the formation of stalagmite. They are shorter, fatter and more rounded.

PILLAR: Natural pillar is formed by the joining of the stalactite hanging from the roof to the stalagmite growing from the floor of the cave.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STALACTITE AND STALAGMITE

1. Stalactite hangs on the cave roof while stalagmite grows from the floor of the cave.
2. Stalactite is needle-shaped feature while stalagmite is thicker than the stalactite.
3. Stalactite grows downward towards the floor of the cave while stalagmite grows upward towards the roof of the cave.

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