Vesiliukumäet

Vesiliukumäet, also known as water karst or submarine karst, is a type of landform that forms underwater in areas where soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum, are exposed to acidic water.

These landforms can take various shapes and sizes, from small depressions to large sinkholes. They are typically found in coastal areas where the water table is high and the sea level is low, allowing the water to penetrate the soluble rocks and create cavities. As the water continues to flow and dissolve the rocks, the cavities can become large enough to collapse, creating an underwater sinkhole or doline.

The formation of vesiliukumäet is a slow process that occurs over thousands of years. It involves the interaction of groundwater and the rock matrix, where the acidic water dissolves the bedrock, creating an underground passage or cavity. As the water continues to flow and react with the rocks, the passage or cavity can enlarge and eventually collapse, creating a characteristic rounded or conical depression.

Vesiliukumäet are often found at depths ranging from a few meters to over 100 meters, and their presence can be detected using a range of survey methods, such as side-scan sonar and seafloor mapping. They serve as a valuable tool for geoscientists to study the subsurface geology and hydrology of an area, providing insights into the formation and evolution of these unique landforms.