Karst Rock Features

The hydrodynamic genesis of linear karren patterns

“…Because of the considerable variety of hydrodynamic and chemical processes involved in karst pattern formation, different criteria may be adopted for their classification, which thus remains an open debate (Ginés et al. 2009). At first, we may separate between dissolution and precipitation patterns, even though in many modelling aspects these two reverse processes can be treated in a unified manner (Ford & Williams 2013).…”

“…A wide overview on the state of karren research may be found in the contributions collected in Ginés et al. (2009). Dissolution patterns may also arise below ground, as for example in the case of cave scallops, which are formed on cave walls by turbulent flows of water (Curl 1966; Claudin, Durán & Andreotti 2017).…”

“…circular, linear, polygenetic) and spatial scales (from micrometres to tens of metres), karren classification is still debated (Ginés et al. 2009). Specifically, we deal with karren of linear forms that are hydrodynamically controlled (instead of fracture controlled, see the classification by Ford & Williams (2013), table 9.1).…”

“…Furthermore, superimposition of one pattern onto another are very common, such as microrills on rillenkarren, or rillenkarren on rinnenkarren (Ginés et al. 2009). There is a reason for these impressive similarities: all these patterns share a common hydrodynamic origin.…”

“…Although this has always been recognized, to date there is not a comprehensive theory that might explain the regular channelization induced by water (Ginés et al. 2009). This theoretical lack is the goal of the present paper.…”