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Karst Potential Classification
The karst potential map shows the tendency for geologic units to develop or have karst features such as sinkholes, springs, caves, or other solution features. The classification is based on lithology. The lithologic characteristics used are percentage of CaCO3 in the carbonate portion of the unit, grain size, bedding thickness, and insoluble components. Insoluble components may occur as a mineral grains within the limestone lithology or as interbeds of noncarbonate rock. These criteria were evaluated for all rock units and combined rock units that appear on the map, and resulted in about 50 distinct rankings. These rankings were reduced to three to five simplified classes by analysis of their frequency of distribution and the scale of the map data.
1:500,000 (small scale) map data (viewed at scales 1:150,001 and smaller) displays three classes:
 
INTENSE
Areas underlain by bedrock with high potential for karst development. May exhibit mature karst, including caves, sinkholes, and springs where they crop out.
 
PRONE
Areas underlain by bedrock with moderate potential for karst development. Development of karst features in this category is variable and dependent on site-specific conditions. Occurrence of caves may be influenced by physiographic setting, unit thickness, and lithology.
 
NONKARST
Areas underlain by bedrock with limited or no potential for karst development. Karst features rare or absent.

1:24,000 (large scale) map data (viewed at scales 1:150,000 and greater) displays five classes:
 
VERY HIGH
Thick-bedded, typically fine-grained and pure limestone units with little or no insoluble content. Will exhibit mature karst, including caves, sinkholes, and springs where they crop out.
 
HIGH
Limestone units with low insoluble content, but varied grain size and bedding characteristics. Likely to contain karst features. Occurrence of caves may be influenced by physiographic setting, unit thickness, and lithology.
 
MEDIUM
Limestone units and coarse-grained, or siliciclastic units with limestone interbeds. Limestone units may contain a high percentage of insoluble minerals. Siliciclastic units will only be karst-prone where limestone beds occur in the near surface. Development of karst features in this category is variable and dependent on site-specific conditions.
 
LOW
Siliciclastic units with minor limestone beds or units primarily composed of dolomite. Karst features are poorly developed or absent.
 
NONKARST
Consolidated or unconsolidated siliciclastic units. Karst features rare or absent.
*Note: A more detailed and precise karst classification method is in development. When the testing and evaluations are complete, the method will be used to add enhanced categories in the karst classification.
 

Geologic Map Service Tutorials:


Overview of Map Functionality
Most of the map functionality is provided in the tabs on the right-side of the map interface:

Tools. The tool tab contains standard tools for zoom and pan control of the map. In addition there are several custom tools:

Query. This functionality allows you to search the Kentucky Geological Survey database for geologic descriptions from KGS publications, maps, and field notes and highlight those units on the map. Follow the instructions on the tab for more information about using this feature.

Legend. This tab provides explanations of symbology for the map layout. The map unit colors display the map colors for the units in the viewed extent. Other map symbols are displayed below the colors and are also displayed with each map layer on the "Layers" tab.

Layers. This tab provides controls for changing the layout of the map. There are three main sections in this tab: Geologic Information. There are two ways to get information about geologic units or other features on the map. The identity tool , described above, is used to gather information about specific features. It works by clicking on the map and the results are sent to a pop-up window. The identity tool only returns descriptions from the 1:24,000-scale GQ's. Be aware that the sensitivity of the tool is scale-dependant. Clicking at small scales may return descriptions for multiple map units or features.

The Geologic Information tab provides comprehensive searches for all information that pertains to the map extent. Because of the larger amount of information that is accessed, the searches are provided from individual links. The results are grouped by type of source and then by the individual source title. The source title is a link to the KGS online list of publications, where many publications can be viewed. For lithology descriptions, a portion of the graphic stratigraphic column is provided for context, and the full stratigraphic column is accessed from a link.