Origin of Kansas Great Plains Depressions

Abstract

Undrained depressions of various sizes and shapes are a characteristic minor element of Kansas Great Plains topography. A review of depressions in all parts of western Kansas indicates that several processes of origin are required to explain the many diversified features. They are classed in two general groups: (1) solution-subsidence depressions where the soluble rock may be salt, gypsum, chalk, or limestone, and (2) nonsolutional features produced by variously differential eolian deposition or erosion, compaction, silt infiltration, and animal action.