Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada
The gypsum-anhydrite rocks in the abandoned quarry at Dingwall (Nova Scotia, Canada) are subjected to physical and chemical weathering, including hydration of the anhydrite, i.e., its transformation into secondary gypsum under the influence of water. This process is known to lead to the localized vo...
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/15/7374 |
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| author | Adrian Jarzyna Maciej Bąbel Damian Ługowski Firouz Vladi |
| author_facet | Adrian Jarzyna Maciej Bąbel Damian Ługowski Firouz Vladi |
| author_sort | Adrian Jarzyna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The gypsum-anhydrite rocks in the abandoned quarry at Dingwall (Nova Scotia, Canada) are subjected to physical and chemical weathering, including hydration of the anhydrite, i.e., its transformation into secondary gypsum under the influence of water. This process is known to lead to the localized volume increase of the rock and the formation of spectacular hydration landforms: domes, tepees and ridges. Cavities appearing in the interior of these domes are often unique hydration caves (<i>Quellungshöhlen</i> in German). For the first time, this paper gives detailed geomorphometric characteristics of the 77 dome- and tepee-like hydration landforms growing today at Dingwall based on their digital surface models and orthophotomaps, made with the method of photogrammetry integrated with direct measurements. The length of hydration landforms varies from 1.86 to 23.05 m and the relative height varies from 0.33 to 2.09 m. Their approximate shape in a plan view varies from nearly circular, through oval, to elongated with a length-to-width ratio rarely exceeding 5:2. Length, width and relative height are characterized by moderate mutual correlation with proportional relations expressed by linear equations, testifying that the hydration landforms generally preserve the same or very similar shape independent of their sizes. The averaged thickness of the detached rock layer ranges from 6 to 46 cm. The size of the forms seems to depend on this thickness—the forms larger in extent (longer) generally have a thicker detached rock layer. Master (and other) joints and, to a lesser extent, layering in the bedrock influence the development of hydration landforms, particularly by controlling the place where the entrances are open to internal cavities or caves. Three structural types of the bedrock influencing the growth of hydration forms were recognized: with master joints, with layering and with both of them. The latter type of bedrock has the most complex impact on the morphology of hydration landforms because it depends on the number of master joint sets and the mutual orientation of joints and layering, which are changeable across the quarry. The durability of the hydration forms over time depends, among others, on the density of fractures in the detached rock layer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:50:15Z |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:50:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-b00a74dd57834396be79c5a5c555df372023-11-30T22:08:11ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-07-011215737410.3390/app12157374Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, CanadaAdrian Jarzyna0Maciej Bąbel1Damian Ługowski2Firouz Vladi3Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 93, PL-02-089 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 93, PL-02-089 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 93, PL-02-089 Warsaw, PolandDeutsches Gipsmuseum und Karstwanderweg e.V., Duna 9a, D-37520 Osterode, GermanyThe gypsum-anhydrite rocks in the abandoned quarry at Dingwall (Nova Scotia, Canada) are subjected to physical and chemical weathering, including hydration of the anhydrite, i.e., its transformation into secondary gypsum under the influence of water. This process is known to lead to the localized volume increase of the rock and the formation of spectacular hydration landforms: domes, tepees and ridges. Cavities appearing in the interior of these domes are often unique hydration caves (<i>Quellungshöhlen</i> in German). For the first time, this paper gives detailed geomorphometric characteristics of the 77 dome- and tepee-like hydration landforms growing today at Dingwall based on their digital surface models and orthophotomaps, made with the method of photogrammetry integrated with direct measurements. The length of hydration landforms varies from 1.86 to 23.05 m and the relative height varies from 0.33 to 2.09 m. Their approximate shape in a plan view varies from nearly circular, through oval, to elongated with a length-to-width ratio rarely exceeding 5:2. Length, width and relative height are characterized by moderate mutual correlation with proportional relations expressed by linear equations, testifying that the hydration landforms generally preserve the same or very similar shape independent of their sizes. The averaged thickness of the detached rock layer ranges from 6 to 46 cm. The size of the forms seems to depend on this thickness—the forms larger in extent (longer) generally have a thicker detached rock layer. Master (and other) joints and, to a lesser extent, layering in the bedrock influence the development of hydration landforms, particularly by controlling the place where the entrances are open to internal cavities or caves. Three structural types of the bedrock influencing the growth of hydration forms were recognized: with master joints, with layering and with both of them. The latter type of bedrock has the most complex impact on the morphology of hydration landforms because it depends on the number of master joint sets and the mutual orientation of joints and layering, which are changeable across the quarry. The durability of the hydration forms over time depends, among others, on the density of fractures in the detached rock layer.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/15/7374anhydritegypsumhydration landformsweatheringphotogrammetrygeomorphometric analysis |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Jarzyna Maciej Bąbel Damian Ługowski Firouz Vladi Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada Applied Sciences anhydrite gypsum hydration landforms weathering photogrammetry geomorphometric analysis |
| title | Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| title_full | Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| title_fullStr | Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| title_short | Morphology of Dome- and Tepee-Like Landforms Generated by Expansive Hydration of Weathering Anhydrite: A Case Study at Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| title_sort | morphology of dome and tepee like landforms generated by expansive hydration of weathering anhydrite a case study at dingwall nova scotia canada |
| topic | anhydrite gypsum hydration landforms weathering photogrammetry geomorphometric analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/15/7374 |
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