These data represent digital GIS sinkhole coverage for all of Kentucky. The highest elevation, closed, topographic contour of each mapped sinkhole was digitized as a GIS polygon. The second highest elevation contour was also digitized where very large, shallow, karst valleys were so expansive that the area covered by the polygon obscured patterns in sinkhole distribution. These karst valleys are mostly confined to the Western Pennyroyal. The spacing of contour intervals on the topographic maps of the state vary in from 40 foot to 10 foot. No attempt was made to use a constant elevation, standardize the outline to a uniform contour interval, or record the elevation of the digitized contour. Digitization was done onscreen using digital raster graphic files of the 7 ½ minute topographic contours, registered and projected to the Kentucky State Plane coordinate system.Download Link: https://kgs.uky.edu/kgsweb/download/karst/kysinks.zip

The Digital Geohazards-GIS Sinkhole Map of Mammoth Cave National Park and Vicinity, Kentucky is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (maca_geohazard.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file (maca_geohazard.mapx) and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (maca_geohazard.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) a readme file (maca_abli_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (maca_abli_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (maca_geohazard_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the maca_abli_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: Kentucky Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (maca_geohazard_metadata.txt or maca_geohazard_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

These data represent digital GIS sinkhole coverage for all of Kentucky. The highest elevation, closed, topographic contour of each mapped sinkhole was digitized as a GIS polygon. The second highest elevation contour was also digitized where very large, shallow, karst valleys were so expansive that the area covered by the polygon obscured patterns in sinkhole distribution. These karst valleys are mostly confined to the Western Pennyroyal. The spacing of contour intervals on the topographic maps of the state vary in from 40 foot to 10 foot. No attempt was made to use a constant elevation, standardize the outline to a uniform contour interval, or record the elevation of the digitized contour. Digitization was done onscreen using digital raster graphic files of the 7 ½ minute topographic contours, registered and projected to the Kentucky State Plane coordinate system.

The Karst Occurrence GIS polygon coverages for Kentucky were compiled from a digital version of the 1:500:000-scale geologic map of Kentucky (Noger, M.C., 1988). Because of the 1:500,000 scale of the source map, these coverages should NOT be used for evaluating karst geologic hazards or hydrogeology at scales larger than 1:500,000. The classification of the potential for karst development was based on the field experience of the authors and other data. A number of isolated carbonate units were newly digitized for these coverages. For more information about Karst Topography in Kentucky, please visit https://www.uky.edu/KGS/karst/For more information about these coverages, please contact Randall L. Paylor or James C. Currens at the Kentucky Geological Survey, 228 Mining and Minerals Building, University of Kentucky, 40506-0107. (859)257-5500.Sinkhole Data:These data represent digital GIS sinkhole coverage for all of Kentucky. The highest elevation, closed, topographic contour of each mapped sinkhole was digitized as a GIS polygon. The second highest elevation contour was also digitized where very large, shallow, karst valleys were so expansive that the area covered by the polygon obscured patterns in sinkhole distribution. These karst valleys are mostly confined to the Western Pennyroyal. The spacing of contour intervals on the topographic maps of the state vary in from 40 foot to 10 foot. No attempt was made to use a constant elevation, standardize the outline to a uniform contour interval, or record the elevation of the digitized contour. Digitization was done onscreen using digital raster graphic files of the 7 ½ minute topographic contours, registered and projected to the Kentucky State Plane coordinate system.

Vector data set consisting of polygons representing areas drained by sinkholes in Kentucky

This point shapefile was created to display in a geographic information system (GIS) mapped and modeled (indirectly mapped) sinkhole locations in southern Indiana and Kentucky.

The Karst Occurrence GIS polygon coverages for Kentucky were compiled from a digital version of the 1:500:000-scale geologic map of Kentucky (Noger, M.C., 1988). Because of the 1:500,000 scale of the source map, these coverages should NOT be used for evaluating karst geologic hazards or hydrogeology at scales larger than 1:500,000. The classification of the potential for karst development was based on the field experience of the authors and other data. A number of isolated carbonate units were newly digitized for these coverages. For more information about Karst Topography in Kentucky, please visit https://www.uky.edu/KGS/karst/For more information about these coverages, please contact Randall L. Paylor or James C. Currens at the Kentucky Geological Survey, 228 Mining and Minerals Building, University of Kentucky, 40506-0107. (859)257-5500.Sinkhole Data:These data represent digital GIS sinkhole coverage for all of Kentucky. The highest elevation, closed, topographic contour of each mapped sinkhole was digitized as a GIS polygon. The second highest elevation contour was also digitized where very large, shallow, karst valleys were so expansive that the area covered by the polygon obscured patterns in sinkhole distribution. These karst valleys are mostly confined to the Western Pennyroyal. The spacing of contour intervals on the topographic maps of the state vary in from 40 foot to 10 foot. No attempt was made to use a constant elevation, standardize the outline to a uniform contour interval, or record the elevation of the digitized contour. Digitization was done onscreen using digital raster graphic files of the 7 ½ minute topographic contours, registered and projected to the Kentucky State Plane coordinate system.