Castles & karst |
Lithology & Geological Setting
The Central Kentucky karst region is mainly comprised of limestones from the Mississippian period. Above the thick carbonate arrangement, there are variations of sandstones, shales, and additional limestones.
The resistance of the sandstone, and the impermeability of the shales are responsible for the features of the area, which include the Chester escarpment, ridges and knobs, major cave passages, and vertical shafts. The sandstone here plays an important role, in contrast to the Castleguard area, where there is sandstone present, though mainly in thin layers which are not as significant.
The influence from the beds above the Big Clifty formation is quite detailed, but of little importance for the regional physiography.
The resistance of the sandstone, and the impermeability of the shales are responsible for the features of the area, which include the Chester escarpment, ridges and knobs, major cave passages, and vertical shafts. The sandstone here plays an important role, in contrast to the Castleguard area, where there is sandstone present, though mainly in thin layers which are not as significant.
The influence from the beds above the Big Clifty formation is quite detailed, but of little importance for the regional physiography.