Karstifiointi
Karstifiointi, the Finnish term for karstification, refers to the set of geological processes that shape karst landscapes. These processes involve the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, chalk, and gypsum, by water that is slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide. Over tens of thousands to millions of years, the chemical weathering removes material, enlarging fractures, bedding planes, and joints to form underground voids, caves, and conduits. Surface expressions of karstifiointi include sinkholes, disappearing streams, dry valleys, and rugged escarpments.
The mechanisms of karstification are threefold: solubilization of minerals, physical disintegration by stress and thermal cycles,
Karst landscapes play a crucial role in regional hydrology. They act as natural aquifers, channeling water