The Arizona Geological Society is hosting a presentation on the “Science of Caves.” The presenter, W.B. White from Penn State, is one of the world’s foremost experts on cave formation and development.
When: May 1, 8–9 pm
Where: Sheraton Tucson Hotel, 5151 E. Grant Rd (& Rosemont), Sabino Room (1st floor, west end of complex)
Cost: Free
Abstract
Caves form by two distinct mechanisms. Both equilibrium and kinetics of the reactions are well-known and some elegant models have been made of cave development. A more recent finding is that many caves have formed by deep-seated solutions welling up to the water table with the active agent being sulfuric acid rather than carbonic acid.
What brought cave studies into the mainstream of the Earth sciences is the importance of karst aquifers as water supplies. Karst aquifers are a major source of domestic water supply. The conduit permeability means that karst aquifers respond rapidly to flood flows with changes in flow paths and water levels. Contaminant transport in karst aquifers is rapid, often to unknown destinations, and strongly dependent of the physical properties of the contaminant.
Caves have been recognized as useful sources of geomorphic information. Caves are strongly linked to landscape evolution. Clastic sediments in caves can be dated by cosmogenic isotopes providing useful markers for incision rates of surface streams and landscape evolution.
Bio
William B. (Will) White is professor emeritus of geochemistry in the Department of Geosciences at the Pennsylvania State University. Prior to retirement, he held joint appointments in Geosciences and in the Materials Research Institute. He also taught in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and supervised graduate students in the interdisciplinary program in Environmental Pollution Control. He holds a B.S. in chemistry from Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA) (1954). From 1954 to 1958, he was on the staff of the Department of Research in Chemical Physics at the Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh while pursuing graduate study in physics at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1958, he transferred to Penn State, received his Ph.D. in geochemistry in 1962 and, after a year and a half in a post-doctoral position, joined the faculty in 1963, reaching the rank of full professor in 1972.