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Ellen K. Herman Assistant Professor Department of Geology, Bucknell University |
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My current research focuses on karst hydrology. I am particularly interested in how water and sediment flow through and shape karst systems. While I have concentrated mostly on springs like Arch Spring, pictured at right, I am also interested in what happens before the water and sediment reach the spring. In karst environments, a portion of the bedrock has been altered through dissolution. Karst can occur in many types of rocks, but most karst occurs in limestone, dolomite, gypsum, and halite (rock salt). I primarily study systems in limestone and dolomite. Some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth are karstic. You’ll find links to some incredible photos here. If you’d like to learn more about the basics of karst, try here. Roughly 10% of Earth’s continental expanse is underlain by karst, and it occurs in most environments, from arid to humid. You don’t have to cave to explore the many karst systems that have surface expression, but it’s certainly a fun way to get an understanding of the subsurface. The National Speleological Society or your local grotto can help you if you’re interested. |
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Department of Geology 224 O'Leary Center Lewisburg, PA 17837
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Phone: 570-577-3088 Mail to: Ellen Herman |
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Arch Spring, Blair County, PA |
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Tytoona Cave (the upstream end of Arch Spring), Blair County, PA |