Engineering Aspects of Karst

Frequently-anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Tobin, B.D., and Weary, D.J., 200506, Engineering Aspects of Karst: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • <http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html?openChapters=chpgeol#chpgeol>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -171

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -67

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 70

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 19

3. What does it look like?

   <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2004/1352/data/USA_karst.pdf> (PDF)

   The U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 2004-1352, Engineering Aspects of Karst. The open-file report consists of a map with accompanying explanatory text. The file is approximately 9.4 Mb.

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Calendar_Date: 1984

   Currentness_Reference: Publication date of source material

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Vector digital data

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • GT-polygon composed of chains (1464)
      • String (14)

   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Karst polygons (described by karst0p075.dbf)

   Areas containing distinctive surficial and subterranean features developed by solution of carbonate and other rocks and characterized by closed depressions, sinking streams, and cavern openings. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Shape

   The representation of the entity in the data. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Value	Definition
   Polygon	2-dimensional element

   Area

   The size of the shape in square coverage units. In the distributed file, coverage units represent square decimal degrees. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00000
   Maximum:	12.18929

   Perimeter

   The perimeter of the shape in coverage units. In the distributed file, coverage units represent decimal degrees. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00533
   Maximum:	51.71492

   Karst0p075

   Internal feature number. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	1465

   Objectid

   Internal identification number. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	1670

   K_type

   The abbreviation of the karst type. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Value	Definition
   absent_1	Fissures, tubes, and caves generally absent; where present in small isolated areas, less than 50 ft (15 m) long; less than 50 ft (15 m) vertical extent; in crystalline, highly siliceous, intensely folded carbonate rock.
   absent_2	Fissures, tubes, and caves generally absent; where present in small isolated areas, less than 50 ft (15 m) long; less than 50 ft (15 m) vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock.
   absent_3	Fissures, tubes, and caves generally absent; where present in small isolated areas, less than 50 ft (15 m) long; less than 50 ft (15 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat-lying beds of carbonate rock.
   long_1	Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in metamorphosed limestone, dolostone, and marble
   long_2	Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock.
   long_3	Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock.
   long_4	Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock beneath an overburden of noncarbonate material 10 ft (3 m) to 200 ft (60 m) thick.
   long_5	Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of gypsum.
   long_6	Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of gypsum.
   no_geol	The area does not contain karst.
   pseudo_1	Fissures and voids present to a depth of 250 ft (75 m) or more in areas of subsidence from piping in thick, unconsolidated material.
   pseudo_2	Fissures and voids present to a depth of 50 ft (15 m) in areas of subsidence from piping in thick, unconsolidated material
   pseudo_3	Fissures, tubes, and tunnels present to a depth of 250 ft (75m) or more in lava.
   pseudo_4	Fissures, tubes, and tunnels present to a depth of 50 ft. (15 m) in lava.
   short_1	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in metamorphosed limestone, dolostone, and marble
   short_2	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in crystalline, highly siliceous, intensely folded carbonate rock.
   short_3	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock.
   short_4	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock.
   short_5	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock beneath an overburden of noncarbonate material 10 ft (3 m) to 200 ft (60 m) thick.
   short_6	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of gypsum
   short_7	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of gypsum.
   short_8	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of gypsum beneath an overburden of nongypsiferous material.
   short_9	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in carbonate zones in highly calcitic granite. Found in Alaska only.
   short_10	Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock with a thin cover of glacial till and frost derived residual soil. Found in Alaska only.

   Descript

   A full description of the karst type. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Value	Definition
   Fissures and voids present to a depth of 250 ft (75 m) or more in areas of subsidence from piping in thick, unconsolidated material	Pseudokarst areas as described.
   Fissures and voids present to a depth of 50 ft (15 m) in areas of subsidence from piping in thick, unconsolidated material	Pseudokarst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock beneath an overburden of noncarbonate material 10 ft (3 m) to 200 ft (60 m) thick	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in carbonate zones in highly calcitic granite	Karst areas as described. Found in Alaska only.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in crystalline, highly siliceous, intensely folded carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of gypsum	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of gypsum beneath an overburden of nongypsiferous material	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in metamorphosed limestone, dolostone, and marble	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock with a thin cover of glacial till and frost derived residual soil	Karst areas as described. Found in Alaska only.
   Fissures, tubes and caves generally less than 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) or less vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of gypsum	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves generally absent; where present in small isolated areas, less than 50 ft (15 m) long; less than 50 ft (15 m) vertical extent; in crystalline, highly siliceous, intensely folded carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves generally absent; where present in small isolated areas, less than 50 ft (15 m) long; less than 50 ft (15 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat-lying beds of carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves generally absent; where present in small isolated areas, less than 50 ft (15 m) long; less than 50 ft (15 m) vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of carbonate rock beneath an overburden of noncarbonate material 10 ft (3 m) to 200 ft (60 m) thick	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in gently dipping to flat- lying beds of gypsum	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in metamorphosed limestone, dolostone, and marble	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of carbonate rock	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and caves over 1,000 ft (300 m) long; 50 ft (15 m) to over 250 ft (75 m) vertical extent; in moderately to steeply dipping beds of gypsum	Karst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and tunnels present to a depth of 250 ft (75m) or more in lava	Pseudokarst areas as described.
   Fissures, tubes, and tunnels present to a depth of 50 ft. (15 m) in lava	Pseudokarst areas as described.
   no karst	The area does not contain karst.

   Extent of extensive historical subsidence (described by karst0l075.dbf)

   The limits of areas of extensive historical surface subsidence (sinkhole development). Subsidence may be caused by alteration of ground-water conditions due to excessive pumping or diversion of surface drainage. (Source: U.S. geological Survey)

   Shape

   The representation of the entity in the data. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Value	Definition
   PolyLine	1-dimensional element that may or may not surround a 2- dimensional element.

   Length

   The length of the line in coverage units. In the distributed file, coverage units represent decimal degrees. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.54804
   Maximum:	11.66906

   Karst0l075

   Internal feature number. (Source: National Atlas of the United States)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	14

   Objectid

   Internal identification number. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	14

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • B.D. Tobin
   • D.J. Weary

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   David Weary
   U.S. Geological Survey
   12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
   Reston, VA 20192
   USA
   

   703-648-6897 (voice)
   [email protected]
   

Why was the data set created?

These data are intended for geographic display and analysis at the national level, and for large regional areas. The data should be displayed and analyzed at scales appropriate for 1:7,500,000-scale data. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   KARST (source 1 of 2)

   Davies, W.E., J.H. Simpson, Ohlmacher, G.C., Kirk, W.E., and Newton, E.G., 1984, Engineering Aspects of Karst: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 7,500,000

   Source_Contribution: Spatial and attribute information

   Atlas-shore (source 2 of 2)

   National Atlas of the United States, 200206, State Boundaries of the United States: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.

   Type_of_Source_Media: Online

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 2,000,000

   Source_Contribution: Spatial information

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 2004 (process 1 of 2)

   Stable-base negatives of the map (KARST) were scanned 1:1 with the map scale at 600 dpi. The outlines of the karst polygons and the outlines of the areas of historical subsidence were vectorized and attributed in a GIS. The values of the polygons were queried in GIS software to check for empty or incorrect values and the polygons were checked visually against the original printed map for attribute and positional accuracy. The subsidence lines were checked visually against the original printed map for positional accuracy.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • KARST

   Date: 2004 (process 2 of 2)

   Shorelines in the karst file were checked against the shorelines in the National Atlas State boundaries file. Where the lines did not match, the lines from the karst file were replaced with the lines from the National Atlas file. Bogoslof Island, Alaska was deleted because it is smaller than the size limit applied to the National Atlas data.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • KARST
   • Atlas-shore

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   All polygon attributes were manually checked for correct values against the original hard copy map.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   No tests for horizontal accuracy have been performed on these map layers.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   These map layers shows areas of karst and psuedokarst and the extent of historical subsidence in the fifty United States and the District of Columbia.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   These data are believed to be logically consistent, though no rigorous formal tests were performed. Polygon coverages were queried to screen for empty or inconsistent values. Line geometry is topologically clean.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

None. Acknowledgment of the National Atlas of the United States of America and (or) the U.S. Geological Survey would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   Earth Science Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey
   507 National Center
   Reston, VA 20192
   

   1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747) (voice)
   

   Contact_Instructions:

   In addition to the address above there are other ESIC offices throughout the country. A full list of these offices is at <http://ask.usgs.gov/esic_index.html>.

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. No responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	ESRI Shapefile
     Network links:	<http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html?openChapters=chpgeol#chpgeol>

     Data format:	SDTS
     Network links:	<http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html?openChapters=chpgeol#chpgeol>

   • Cost to order the data: There is no charge for the map layers.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 21-Jun-2006

Metadata author:

Peg Rawson
National Atlas of the United States
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192

703-648-4183 (voice)
[email protected]

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)