Take a minute to make an educated guess

Notes: Karst Topography-An area characterized by dissolution (dissolving) of underlying soluble rocks by surface

Five of the Features often found in Karst areas: Caves, Sinkholes, Springs, Sinking streams,

• How many caves are recorded in state at this time? – Missouri

2. Sinkholes -are surface depressions formed by the collapse of shallow caves. These sinkholes

3. Springs- locations where ground water emerges at the surface of the earth. Conner’s

4. Sinking streams-(also called losing streams or disappearing streams) streams which end abruptly by

5. Natural bridges or tunnels- a void beneath still standing bedrock, allowing human passage

Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky Rockbridge County, VA

Cave Formations: Speleothems- the name for all cave formations caused by the depositing of

Kinds of speleothems: 1. Stalactites- cone shaped deposits that hang from the ceiling of

2. Stalagmites- cone shaped deposits that protrude from the cave floor (like upside down

3. Columns- when a stalactite grows down and meets a stalagmite that is growing

4. Flowstone- a layered deposit of rock where water has flowed or dripped, often

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Take a minute to make an educated guess! 1 - How do caves form? 2 -Which U. S. state has the most caves? 3 -How many caves are in MO?

Notes: Karst Topography-An area characterized by dissolution (dissolving) of underlying soluble rocks by surface water or ground water. -Named for the Karst region of China which has a lot of these features -Missouri is one of the top Karst states in the USA

Five of the Features often found in Karst areas: Caves, Sinkholes, Springs, Sinking streams, Natural bridges or tunnels 1. Caves-A natural opening in rock large enough to be entered by man and extending to points where daylight does not penetrate. How do they form? Caves form when minerals in rock are dissolved by running water or ground water, leaving an opening. (It’s like the water hallowed out an opening in the rock!) The Wild Cave Tour

• How many caves are recorded in state at this time? – Missouri currently has 6037 caves recorded. • Is this the most in the United States? – No, Tennessee has more caves recorded than Missouri. – Kentucky, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, and West Virginia also have large numbers of caves, although fewer than Missouri. According to Missouri Speleological Survey

Rock Bridge State Park

2. Sinkholes -are surface depressions formed by the collapse of shallow caves. These sinkholes or shallow basins may fill with water forming lakes or ponds. http: //www. msnbc. msn. com/id/3032619 /#47165135

Nixa, MO

Sinkholes in MO

3. Springs- locations where ground water emerges at the surface of the earth. Conner’s Spring Rock Bridge State Park, MO

Springs in MO

4. Sinking streams-(also called losing streams or disappearing streams) streams which end abruptly by flowing or seeping into the ground.

Sinking or losing streams in MO

5. Natural bridges or tunnels- a void beneath still standing bedrock, allowing human passage through from one end to the other. Rock Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky Rockbridge County, VA

Cave Formations: Speleothems- the name for all cave formations caused by the depositing of minerals as water evaporates in a cave.

Kinds of speleothems: 1. Stalactites- cone shaped deposits that hang from the ceiling of a cave (look like icicles made of stone)

Soda Straw stalactites

2. Stalagmites- cone shaped deposits that protrude from the cave floor (like upside down icicles made of stone)

Bathtub stalagmite

3. Columns- when a stalactite grows down and meets a stalagmite that is growing up and they grow into each other

4. Flowstone- a layered deposit of rock where water has flowed or dripped, often forms on the walls of a cave and looks like curtains.