AN ANALYSIS OF CAVE SEDIMENTS FROM JENNINGS CAVE, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA: GEOMORPHIC IMPLICATIONS

Since it is known that cave sediments can be used as indicators of geomorphologic changes that occur during karst landscape evolution, an analysis of these sediments can provide primary geomorphic information about transportation mechanisms, depositional history, and landscape and cave formation. This project attempts to provide insight on certain topics regarding Jennings Cave, Marion County, Florida. Before 1,870 years ago, the sediment that was being transported to the collection site consisted mostly of fine-sized to medium-sized particles. However, around 1,870 years before present, certain climatic events caused the sediment input to the collection site to change. Unfortunately, little research has been completed on the landscape of west-central Florida, with past research focusing on the Dames Caves area, Citrus County, Florida, and Briar Cave, Marion County, Florida. In-depth research on Jennings Cave and the surrounding environment is necessary in the attempt to understand the evolution of the west-central Florida's karst landscape.