Karstimaastikel

Karstimaastikel refers to a type of landscape characterized by the dissolution of soluble rocks, most commonly limestone, dolomite, or gypsum. This geological process, known as karstification, leads to the formation of distinctive surface and subsurface features. Over long periods, groundwater percolates through cracks and fissures in the rock, slowly dissolving the soluble minerals.

As the rock dissolves, it creates underground passages, caves, and sinkholes. Sinkholes, or dolines, are funnel-shaped depressions that form when the roof of an underground void collapses or when the rock above is dissolved away. Caves are natural cavities large enough for a human to enter, and they can range from small passages to vast underground networks adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, which are formed by the deposition of minerals from dripping water.

Surface features in karst landscapes are often limited because much of the drainage occurs underground. Streams may disappear into sinkholes, a phenomenon known as disappearing streams, and reappear elsewhere as springs. Karst areas can also exhibit irregular terrain with isolated hills and depressions. The soil in karst regions is often thin and rich in iron oxides, giving some areas a reddish hue. These landscapes are found in many parts of the world where soluble rock formations are present and have been subjected to sufficient rainfall.