karstiks

Karst is a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. This process of dissolution is caused by rainwater, which is slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As water percolates through the ground, it encounters soluble rock and slowly erodes it, creating characteristic features.

The most common karst features include sinkholes, which are depressions or holes in the ground caused by a collapse of the surface layer, or by dissolution. Caves and caverns are also prominent, formed as groundwater dissolves underground channels and voids. Underground rivers and disappearing streams are typical, as surface water often drains into the subsurface through sinkholes and fissures. Stalactites and stalagmites are speleothems, mineral formations that grow slowly in caves from dripping water. Other features can include karst valleys, natural bridges, and rock towers.

Karst topography covers significant portions of the Earth's surface, including regions in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, China, and parts of the United States. The presence of karst landscapes has implications for water resources, as groundwater is often the primary source of drinking water, but it can also be easily contaminated due to the direct connection between surface and subsurface. Understanding karst processes is important for land use planning, engineering, and the management of water resources in these areas.