Compressive Structural Control on Karst Development

Field hydrogeological investigations in Puding county, Guizhou province, found many underground rivers and caves developed in the synclinal axis, and some developed along a large-scale compressive fault zone, the trend of which agrees with the synclinal axis and compressive fault. Under the action of the tectonic stress field, the distortion of the rock bed gradually increased, and then formed a syncline. Meanwhile, due to local stresses along the synclinal axis, the upper rock bed of the syncline continued to be compressed, and the lower rock bed of the syncline became tensile; radial tensile cracks then formed. At the large-scale compressive thrust fault, the fault zone was extensively compressed and rubblized, causing an obstruction of groundwater flow. Because of the towed fold of the compressive fault, tensile cracks on the hanging block developed. This tensile cracking was beneficial for the development and movement of groundwater resources and karst development. This study furthers the understanding of karst development controlled by structural geology.