MAPPING THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF KARST FEATURES IN OKLAHOMA

Surface karst features such as sinkholes, fissures, dolines, and ponors are locally common within several carbonate and evaporite formations in the state of Oklahoma. However, maps of karst in Oklahoma have historically only focused on the locations of caves where they have been explored recreationally, serve as bat hibernacula, or as a water source. Mapping surface karst features was carried out using remote sensing techniques employing the use of airborne LiDAR topographic data, satellite images, and surface geological maps. Features were cross reviewed for accuracy with ground truthing performed for some of the more easily accessible features. The number of surface karst features identified now exceeds 3,000 and is helping to provide greater insights into understanding their spatial patterns while improving the accuracy of predictive models. Knowing the spatial patterns of surface karst features can be useful for a variety of reasons such as assisting in groundwater studies, improving the effectiveness of environmental protection, and in predicting potential geohazards for avoidance and mitigation.