Karst1-1S O L U T I O N A L L A N D F O R M

Solutional landforms formed by dissolving rock.Karst topography is comprehenssive term applied to soluble area that posses a topography peculiar to & dependent upon underground solution & the diversion of surface waters to undergrounds water. Karst1-2

THE KARST GEOMORPHIC CYCLEThe influence of climateHeavy annual rainfall in equatorial & monsoonal region, along with the large amount of CO2 make for much more rapid solution.

THE KARST GEOMORPHIC CYCLETwo ways in which a karst cycle may be inagurated :Throught uplift above base level of limestone terrain on which fluvial erosion had been in progress;Throught uplift of an area of clastic rock beneath which are limestone above the new base level

4 Condition essential to full development of karstSoluble rock (limestone, dolomit) near the surfaceHighly jointed structur & preferably thinly beddedExistence of entrenched valleys below uplands underlain by soluble &jointed rock.Must be one at least moderate rain fall

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONHumid, Temperature ClimatesBlind Valley: A valley that end abruptly where stream vanishes underground.

Sinking Stream: stream that vanishes underground, usually at terminus of blind valley.

Resurgence: point where waters from sinking stream reemerges from underground.

Dry Valley: Valley that no longer exhibits channelized flow.

Cave: A natural underground room or series of rooms large enough to be entered by a person.

Cockpit Karst: a conglomeration of closed depressions surrounded by conical hills - similar to cone karst where depression are star-shaped.

Tower karst: Type of karst characterized by isolated, steep-walled hills separated by flat lying plain of alluvium.FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONHumid, Temperature Climates

Blind ValleyA valley that terminates abruptly at a point where its stream sinks, or once sank, underground. Blind valleys are completely enclosed valleys that water can not flow out of on the surface. Disappearing streams often sink in blind valleys.Humid, Temperature ClimatesFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGION

CAVERNS & ASSOCIATED FEATURESFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONCave is a feature generally formed by solution of limestone containing a natural underground room or series of rooms and passages large enough to be entered by people

Cave Shapes (Reach Scale)From Ritter et al. (1995)FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGION

CAVERNS & ASSOCIATED FEATURESFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONA speleothem (from the Greek for "cave deposit") is a formal term for what is also known as a cave formation, or amongst cavers, collectively known as pretties. They are the result of the interactions among water, rock, and air within caves.

The Witch's Finger stalagmite in Carlsbad CavernsCAVERNS & ASSOCIATED FEATURESFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONA stalagmite (from the Greek stalagma ("drop" or "drip") is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate.The Hall of Giants in the Carlsbad Caverns

CAVERNS & ASSOCIATED FEATURESFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONMineralized water drop forming at bottom of stalactites.A stalactite (Greek stalaktos, ("dripping" or "dropped"), or dripstone, is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling or wall of limestone caves.

Tower karst: Type of karst characterized by isolated, steep-walled hills separated by flat lying plain of alluvium.FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONHumid, Temperature Climates

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONTERRA ROSSASurface or near surface solution by descending ground water usually leaves residue of a red, clayey soil mantling the surface & extending down into opened joint. It may vary in thickness from a few to many feet & may completely mask the rock surface. The name Terra rossa has been applied to it.

LAPIESFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONLocally, where relief in considerable, limestone surface are bare of terra rossa and there is exposed an etched, pitted grooved, fluted and otherwise rugged surface to which the name lapies is most commonly applied

SINKHOLES & ASSOCIATED LANDFORMFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONInitially, a sinkhole forms as soil collapses into a crevice and is carried away through a conduit by water.Further collapse of the soil cover from below causes circular cracks to develop at the surface.

SINKHOLES & ASSOCIATED LANDFORMFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONThen the soil roof of the developing sinkhole falls into the hole to form a cylindrical cavity.Erosion by water flowing into this new drain hole smooths the hole's sharp edges to form the typical inverted cone- or bowl

The sinkhole collapse occurred when carbonate bedrock had dissolved to the point that it could no longer support the weight of the overlying soil and sediment. SINKHOLES & ASSOCIATED LANDFORMFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGION

SINKHOLES & ASSOCIATED LANDFORMFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONSinkholes, also known as sinks, cenote, shakeholes or dolina

SINKHOLES & ASSOCIATED LANDFORMFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGION Karst lake (Doberdo' del Lago, Italy), from underground water springing into a depression. Karst lakes have no affluent or effluent

SINKHOLES & ASSOCIATED LANDFORMFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONA special type of collapse sinkhole ia a karst window is a geologic feature where the aquifer is exposed to the surface. This karst window in Florida is a forty foot shaft that leads directly to the crystal clear waters of the Floridan Aquifer...

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONIn karst areas, surface streams are typically absent. Surface water, as it flows across karst terrain, is quickly channeled underground through all the cracks, fissures, and holes (sinkholes) in the ground... KARST SPRING

KARST SPRINGFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONSpringAny natural discharge of water from rock or overlying soil onto the surface of the land or into a body of surface water. A disappearing stream may re-emerge at a spring.

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONKarst Spring Karst springs are the discharge points for underground streams. They are the most productive springs in the world and provide many recreational opportunities... KARST SPRING

NATURAL TUNNEL & BRIDGESFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONNatural Tunnel, The bed of stock creek shows to the left of the southern railway track

EROSION REMNANTSFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONPepino In advanced stages of solutional destruction of limestone terrainHaystack In advanced stages of solutional destruction of limestone terrain

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONPOLJEPolje is the Slovenian word for field, which means the flat and very fertile ground of the valleys in Slovenia.

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONKarst Aquifer Karst aquifers differ significantly from more common granular aquifers. Water in karst aquifers moves through large conduits (caves) much like a sewer system. Water moves very quickly through these aquifers and receives very little filtration...

FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGIONFEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF KARST REGION