The morphology and hydrology of some Jamaican karst depressions

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Abstract
An area of shallow karst depressions in St. Ann parish, Jamaica is examined. Shallow, ‘temperate’ forms such as these are common in tropical karst areas.Depressions are analyzed morphometrically and a considerable degree of structural control appears to be exhibited. Some morphometric parameters, in particular the depth/diameter ratio, which have been used to postulate depression origin, are examined.Depression hydrology is investigated. Depressions appear to exhibit characteristics of small drainage basins. The occurrence of sporadic flood events is suggested as an important element in the development of surface channel networks. The integration of the depressions into the regional drainage system is investigated by water tracing of ‘underground flow sections’.Chemical analysis of waters in various parts of the drainage system reveals variations which point to the importance of solutional activity at the soil‐bedrock interface. The influence of a soil cover in promoting solutional activity is indicated.