| Popis: |
The Arbuckle Mountains form a small but complex geologic province characterized by thick sequences of intensely folded and faulted carbonates, sandstones, and shales of the Late Cambrian through Pennsylvanian (Late Carboniferous). Caves, karst, and paleokarst features are abundant in several limestone and dolomite formations. The region hosts a diverse range of settings and mechanisms capable of forming both epigenic and hypogenic caves. Hypogenic features are found in caves throughout the Arbuckles, but most commonly where deformation has been severe. Carbonate dissolution in these areas is aided by the mixing of fresh and saline waters, and by microbial interaction with hydrocarbons. It is probable that more than one process has been involved in forming hypogenic caves and paleokarst. |
