Origin of Limestone Caverns

Abstract

Research Article| September 30, 1930 Origin of Limestone Caverns W. M. DAVIS W. M. DAVIS Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1930) 41 (3): 475–628. https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-41-475 Article history received: 13 Jun 1930 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation W. M. DAVIS; Origin of Limestone Caverns. GSA Bulletin 1930;; 41 (3): 475–628. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-41-475 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract IntroductionTWO EPOCHS IN THE HISTORY OF CAVERNSLimestone caverns usually have the form of elongated passages, and, if of large size, the passages frequently exhibit an irregularly inter‐connecting arrangement, with occasional expansions in great chambers or domes. The empty cavern space is commonly only a small fraction, perhaps a fourth or a tenth, of the volume of an enclosing solid. Drip‐stones, hanging from the roof or rising from the floor, may occupy a small or a large part of the cavern space. Supplementary cavern enlargements of later date than the dripstones are rarely seen, except where the roof has collapsed from lack of support. The dripstones would therefore seem to have been formed chiefly after the excavation of their caverns had been essentially completed.Two chief epochs in cavern history are thus recorded; first, an earlier epoch of solutional or corrasional excavation; second, a later epoch of depositional replenishment. . . . This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.