Karst Topography

• well-jointed rock which is easily opened by contact with H20 creating wide irregular gullies known as Grykes

• the interning blocks are known as clints

• Limestone consists of calcium carbonate
• Sedimentary rock (chalk, gypsum)
• H20 (rain or rivers) converts calcium carbonate into soluble carbonate (massive chemical weathering).
• Limestone is permeable
• Karst region Croatia – hence the name
• Carlsbad cave, New Mexico

Karst Landforms

• Sink holes (swallow holes, dolines)

• Depression in land
• Temporary accumulation of H20 and have ‘eaten’ away through limestone
• Disappearing/reappearing stream
• Cave (cavern)

• Tunnel erosion causes roof to collapse
• Calcium carbonate drips from cave roof
• Evaporation leads to calcium carbonate deposits

• Stalagmites – from floor
• Stalactites – from roof
• Pillar – mites and tites meeting

• Vuala – 2 or more sinkholes formed together
• Polje – collapse of cavern ceiling
• Hums – small residual hills left behind after significant weathering