karsztgeomorfológia

Karsztgeomorfológia, a discipline within geomorphology, focuses on the study of landforms and processes that occur in karst environments. Karst topography is characterized by the dissolution of soluble rocks, primarily limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. This dissolution leads to the formation of distinctive surface and subsurface features.

Surface features commonly associated with karst include sinkholes, also known as dolines, which are depressions formed by the collapse of underground cavities or by the gradual dissolution of bedrock. Uvalas are larger, often coalesced sinkholes, while poljes are extensive, flat-floored depressions that may be flooded seasonally. Disappearing streams, which flow underground into sinkholes, are another characteristic element. Aboveground, karst landscapes often exhibit karst pavements, which are exposed bedrock surfaces marked by solutional grooves and fissures.

Subsurface features are equally significant. Cave systems, formed by the dissolution of rock along fractures and bedding planes, are a hallmark of karst. Stalactites, icicle-shaped formations hanging from cave ceilings, and stalagmites, formations rising from cave floors, are created by the deposition of calcium carbonate from dripping water. Other underground features include underground rivers, shafts, and natural bridges.

The processes driving karst development are primarily related to the chemical weathering of soluble rocks by acidic water. Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and soil, forming carbonic acid, which then dissolves the carbonate minerals in the bedrock. The rate of karstification is influenced by factors such as rock solubility, climate, rainfall patterns, and the presence of faults and fractures that facilitate water infiltration. Understanding karsztgeomorfológia is crucial for managing water resources, land use planning, and hazard assessment in karst regions.