ES 546 Project Summary
Kansas Physiographic Regions
James S. Aber
| Introduction | Methodology |
| Project | References |
| Introduction | Methodology |
| Project | References |
| Shaded-relief topographic map of Kansas. Elevation ranges from less than 750 feet along the northeastern and southeastern edges to more than 4000 feet at the west-central margin. Based on conterminous USA 30-sec digital elevation dataset from the NGDC (NOAA). Image processing with Idrisi by J.S. Aber. |
Wind also played a prominent role blowing sand dunes and loess (dust) in several parts of the state. Thus, the older bedrock is mantled in many places by relatively young glacial, fluvial, and aeolian sediments of Quaternary age. Most recently, human activities have altered the landscape, primarily through agriculture and the growth of industry and cities. We have imposed distinctive geometric patterns, such as center-pivot irrigation and road networks, on the underlying geologic foundation of Kansas.
Moore (1930) identified several major physiographic regions: Osage Plains, Cherokee Lowland, Flint Hills, Great Bend Prairie, Cimarron Breaks (Red Hills), Smoky Hills, Blue Hills, and High Plains. This general scheme was elaborated by Schoewe (1949), who recognized the glaciated region, Ozark Plateau, and Chautauqua Hills. He also introduced the Arkansas River Lowlands with four subregions: Finney, Great Bend, McPherson and Wellington.
Surface features of Kansas showing the major physiographic regions
and underlying geologic cross section. Adapted from Moore (1930).
Physiographic regions and subregions of Kansas according
to Schoewe (1949, fig. 22). Ozark Plateau is black.
Physiographic regions of Kansas.
Based on Wilson (1978, fig. 8).
Ecoregions of Kansas. CT = Cross Timbers, OP = Ozark
Plateau. Adapted from Chapman et al. (2001).
Your instructor and his wife are engaged in a project to reappraise and document the physiographic regions of Kansas based on small-format aerial photography. In the course of traveling the state and observing diagnostic physiographic conditions, we have revised the map of physiographic regions (Aber and Aber 2007). The proposed scheme contains 12 physiographic regions, mainly following Schoewe (1949) and Wilson (1978), but with some differences in region names and boundaries. The general characteristics of these regions are given in the table below.
Revised map of Kansas physiographic regions.
Taken from Aber and Aber (2007).
General characteristics of Kansas physiographic regions
| Physiographic region | Bedrock age and type | Surficial sediment | Landforms | Relief | Drainage | Natural vegetation | Land use | Special conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaciated region | Penn. & Permian, Lower Cretaceous | till, loess valley alluvium | spillways buried valleys | high | perennial large rivers | oak-hickory forest, prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | erratic boulders earthquakes |
| Osage Cuestas | Pennsylvanian limestone, shale | valley alluvium loess, gravel | escarpments | moderate | perennial large rivers | oak-hickory forest, prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | oil and gas |
| Cherokee Lowlands | Pennsylvanian sandstone, shale | alluvium in valleys | low plain | low | perennial streams | oak-hickory forest, prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | coal mining |
| Ozark Plateau | Mississippian limestone, chert | alluvium in valleys | plateau | low | perennial streams | oak-hickory forest, prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | Pb-Zn mines caves |
| Chautauqua Hills | Pennsylvanian sandstone, shale | alluvium in valleys | rugged hills | high | perennial streams | scrub oak forest, prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | oil production |
| Flint Hills | L. Permian shale, limestone, chert | upland chert valley alluvium | escarpments rugged hills | high | perennial streams | tall grass prairie | cattle grazing military | oil/gas, caves wind power |
| Arkansas River Lowlands | Quaternary silt, sand, gravel | sand, loess | dunes, channels floodplains | low | perennial to intermittent | mixed to short grass prairie | irrigated and dry cropland | gravel, salt irrigation |
| Smoky Hills | Lower Cretaceous shale, sandstone | upland gravel valley alluvium | rugged hills | high | perennial streams | mixed grass prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | oil production concretions |
| Blue Hills | Upper Cretaceous shale, thin chalk | alluvium in valleys | escarpments gentle hills | moderate | intermittent streams | mixed to short grass prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | fencepost limestone |
| Chalk Buttes | Upper Cretaceous chalk | alluvium in valleys, loess | buttes, gentle hills, badlands | moderate | intermittent streams | mixed to short grass prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | vertebrate marine fossils |
| Red Hills | Upper Permian shale, sandstone | alluvium in valleys | buttes, sinkholes natural bridges | moderate | perennial to intermittent | mixed grass prairie | dry, mixed agriculture | red beds, salt gypsum, caves |
| High Plains | Neogene silt, sand, gravel, mortar beds | sand, loess valley alluvium | broad, flat plain sand dunes | low | intermittent to ephemeral | short grass prairie | irrigated and dry cropland | oil and gas wind power |
At ESU, we have developed SFAP based on kites (Aber et al. 1999) and a small helium blimp (Aber 2004) for lifting various types of cameras. Since 2005, we use high-resolution digital cameras exclusively. Photographs are taken from 100-500 feet (30-150 m) above the ground using radio-controlled camera rigs. The camera may be tilted (vertical to horizontal) and rotated (360°) in order to provide all possible viewing angles in relation to the ground target. These photographic views bridge the gap between the ground and conventional airphotos or satellite images. Manned airplanes and helicopters normally are restricted to heights above 500 feet in the countryside and 1000 feet in urban areas. SFAP taken below 500 feet has large scale and exceptionally high spatial resolution (5-10 cm) that depicts ground features in surprising detail.
| A - oblique view of chalk monuments in the Smoky Hill River valley. Chalk Buttes physiographic region, Gove County, west-central Kansas. Photo by S.W. Aber © May 2006. |
| B - vertical view of chalk monuments, which stand as relatively thin walls. Note distinctive shadows; person just above arrow (^). Photo by S.W. Aber © May 2006. |
Great Plains aerial photography.
| Liebenthal with Big Timber Creek in the background. Blue Hills physiographic region, Rush County, west-central Kansas. Photo by S.W. Aber © May 2006. |
| Overview of Lake Scott State Park. High Plains physiographic region, Scott County, west-central Kansas. Photo by S.W. Aber © May 2006. |
From the several physiographic regions we visit, each student will select one region for further research. Students should investigate the general geomorphic conditions and geologic setting for the chosen region along with drainage, climate, vegetation, and human land use. In addition to SFAP taken during field trips, each student should gather representative ground photos, maps, satellite images, and other means to illustrate his/her region.
Prepare a webpage report on the selected region. The report should describe general characteristics of the region with an emphasis on topographic expression and typical landforms. Utilize SFAP to illustrate these conditions along with other types of maps and imagery. The report should be referenced fully in standard scientific style, in a manner similar to this webpage--see instructions for preparing student webpages.
Related websites
| ES 546 © J.S. Aber (2007). |
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