Processes

Karstification

KAHRST

Citation Formats

General Reference

Earth and Environment Atlas. "Karstification." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://earth.interactiveatlas.org/processes/karstification.

APA Style

Earth and Environment Atlas. (n.d.). Karstification. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://earth.interactiveatlas.org/processes/karstification

BibTeX

@misc{earthandenvironmentatlas-karstification,
  author = {Earth and Environment Atlas},
  title = {Karstification},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://earth.interactiveatlas.org/processes/karstification},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

Karstification is the process by which slightly acidic water dissolves soluble carbonate bedrock, chiefly limestone and dolomite, over time producing karst topography: sinkholes, poljes, caves and extensive underground drainage in place of ordinary surface streams.

Facts

Driving Force

The dissolution of soluble bedrock, principally limestone, by mildly acidic groundwater and rainwater charged with dissolved carbon dioxide. 1

Resulting Feature

Caves, sinkholes, disappearing streams and other karst landforms in soluble bedrock terrain. 1

Significance

Karst aquifers supply drinking water to hundreds of millions of people but are unusually vulnerable to contamination because water moves through them quickly with little natural filtering. 1

Open Questions

Timescale

No single rate applies; dissolution proceeds at rates that vary by orders of magnitude with climate, rainfall, rock purity and hydrology, so the general literature gives no fixed timescale for karst development.

Only a qualitative, condition-dependent statement is attested; no specific duration figure is given in the source consulted.

Cross-Tradition Connections