Survey and evaluation of the Durness Group, Strath Peninsula, the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Abstract

Differential dissolution and erosion are significant controls during evolution of most karsted environments. If rock matrix, grain size, and cementation are homogenous and consistent, the rock dissolves in a quantifiable manner, producing a predictable karst environment. However, because carbonate rock is neither homogenous nor consistent, differential dissolution and erosion result in karst topography, which appears non-quantifiable and unpredictable. Previous studies have shown that heterogeneity, solubility, competency and joint frequency of the host rock control differential dissolution and erosion in karsted terrains. This study suggests that the additional parameters of slope, bed thickness, joint orientation, and bed dip are also important controls on karst development.