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Process

Karstification

KAHRST
Hydrogeology

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. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

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.
Driving Force
Driving Force (category)
Hydrological / Water 1
Connections

Associated With

Weathering, Processes

Karstification is a specific, carbonate-focused expression of chemical weathering.

Causes

Gunung Mulu Caves, Geological Formations
Ha Long Bay, Geological Formations
Ik Kil, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 (Q334743) mapped to formative process Karstification via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Ik Kil
Jack Cade's Cavern, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 (Q89497) mapped to formative process Karstification via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Jack Cade's Cavern
Jenolan Caves, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Jenolan Caves
Karst Window, Geological Formations
Source Karst window (Wikipedia)
Kornati, Geological Formations
Source Kornati (Wikipedia)
Krubera Cave, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 (Q7558985) mapped to formative process Karstification via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Krubera Cave
Li River Karst, Geological Formations
Limestone pavement, Geological Formations
Source Limestone pavement (Wikipedia)
Movile Cave, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Movile Cave
Paleocollapse, Geological Formations
Source Paleocollapse (Wikipedia)
Phang Nga Bay, Geological Formations
Polje, Geological Formations
Source Polje (Wikipedia)
Reed Flute Cave, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 (Q2232001) mapped to formative process Karstification via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Reed Flute Cave
Rio Secreto, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Rio Secreto
Salt cave, Geological Formations
Source Salt cave (Wikipedia)
Sarawak Chamber, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sarawak Chamber
Sinkhole, Geological Formations
Source Sinkhole (Wikipedia)
Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich
Sistema Ox Bel Ha, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sistema Ox Bel Ha
Sistema Sac Actun, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Karstification via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sistema Sac Actun
Skocjan Caves, Geological Formations
Son Doong Cave, Geological Formations
Stone Forest, Shilin, Geological Formations
Tepui, Geological Formations
Source Wikipedia: Tepui
The Burren, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 (Q16817) mapped to formative process Karstification via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: The Burren
The Mammoth Site, Geological Formations
Source The Mammoth Site (Wikipedia)
Thermokarst, Geological Formations
Source Thermokarst (Wikipedia)
Tower Karst, Geological Formations
Source Tower karst (Wikipedia)
Tsingy de Bemaraha, Geological Formations
Waitomo Caves, Geological Formations
Wulong Karst, Geological Formations
Zhijin Cave, Geological Formations

Wikidata P31 (Q7558985) mapped to formative process Karstification via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Zhijin Cave

Showing 51 to 84 of 84 in Causes, page 2 of 2.

In Discipline

Hydrogeology, Disciplines

Open Questions

How long does it take karst topography to form under a given set of rock and climate conditions?, Open Questions
Source Wikipedia: Karst
How long does karstification take to shape a landscape?, Open Questions
Source Wikipedia: Karst
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Karst
Wikipedia
  • Lead section
    Karst () is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite.
  • Chemistry of dissolution
    Some of the dissolved carbon dioxide reacts with the water to form a weak carbonic acid solution, which dissolves calcium carbonate.
  • Hydrology
    Subterranean drainage may limit surface water, with few if any rivers or lakes.
View the Source
Limestone pavement (Wikipedia)
Causes: Limestone pavement, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Limestone pavement, Lead paragraph
A limestone pavement is a natural karst landform consisting of a flat, incised surface of exposed limestone that resembles an artificial pavement
View the Source
Salt cave (Wikipedia)
Causes: Salt cave, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Salt cave, Lead paragraph
A salt cave is a cave formed within rock salt by the dissolution of this very soluble rock by water
View the Source
Paleocollapse (Wikipedia)
Causes: Paleocollapse, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Paleocollapse, Lead paragraph
Paleocollapse is a rock structure resembling the karst landform, but is formed essentially by the dissolution of underlying sedimentary rock
View the Source
Wikipedia: Cenote
Wikipedia
  • Causes: Cenote, Lead paragraph
    A cenote (English: or ; Latin American Spanish: [seˈnote]) is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater
  • Causes: Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Dos Ojos, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Gran Cenote, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Xkeken, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Zaci, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Suytun, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Aktun Ha, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Chac Mool, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Kankirixche, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote X'ux Ha, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Bolonchoojol, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Chansinic'che, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Chelentun, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Hool Kosom, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote de los Tres Oches, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Tza Ujun Kat, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Uinic, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote San Antonio, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Chunkuy, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Kaipech, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Xayin, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Ucil, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Noolha, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Palomitas, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote X-Canche, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Chaak Tun, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Escondido, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Aldea Zama, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote Azul, Bacalar, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
  • Causes: Cenote de la Bruja, Lead sentence
    is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.
View the Source
Polje (Wikipedia)
Causes: Polje, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Polje, Lead paragraph
A polje, also called karst polje or karst field, is a large flat plain found in karstic geological regions of the world, with areas usually in the range of 5-400 km2 (2-154 sq mi)
View the Source
Thermokarst (Wikipedia)
Causes: Thermokarst, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Thermokarst, Lead paragraph
Thermokarst is a type of terrain characterised by very irregular surfaces of marshy hollows and small hummocks formed when ice-rich permafrost thaws
View the Source
Karst window (Wikipedia)
Causes: Karst Window, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Karst Window, Lead paragraph
A karst window, also known as a karst fenster, is a geomorphic feature found in karst landscapes where an underground river is visible from the surface within a sinkhole
View the Source
Delika canyon (Wikipedia)
Causes: Delika canyon, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Delika canyon, Lead paragraph
The Delika canyon (Spanish: Cañón de Délica, Basque: Delikako arroila) is a karst canyon of Spain, located in the province of Álava
View the Source
Calanque (Wikipedia)
Causes: Calanque, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Calanque, Lead paragraph
A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level.
View the Source
El Torcal de Antequera (Wikipedia)
Causes: El Torcal de Antequera, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: El Torcal de Antequera, Lead paragraph
It is known for its unusual landforms and is regarded as one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe
View the Source
The Mammoth Site (Wikipedia)
Causes: The Mammoth Site, Lead section (caused-by Karstification)
Quote, Causes: The Mammoth Site, Lead section (caused-by Karstification)
The facility encloses a prehistoric sinkhole that formed and was slowly filled with sediments during the Pleistocene era.
View the Source
Tower karst (Wikipedia)
Causes: Tower Karst, Lead
Quote, Causes: Tower Karst, Lead
Tower karst are tall rock structures made up of soluble rock such as limestone.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Tepui
WikipediaCauses: Tepui, Article text
Quote, Causes: Tepui, Article text
Because of their great age, some tepuis exhibit surface features and caves typical of karst topography, formed in more water-soluble rocks such as limestone.
View the Source
Sinkhole (Wikipedia)
Causes: Sinkhole, Lead sentence
Quote, Causes: Sinkhole, Lead sentence
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer.
View the Source
Aran Islands (Wikipedia)
Causes: Aran Islands, Article text
Quote, Causes: Aran Islands, Article text
The result is that the Aran Islands are one of the finest examples of a Glacio-Karst landscape in the world.
View the Source
Kornati (Wikipedia)
Causes: Kornati, Article text
Quote, Causes: Kornati, Article text
In the area there examples of all the typical forms of karst: bizarre shapes formed by the atmosphere, unexplored caves, areas of flat rock and, above all, cliffs.
View the Source
Open Questions (2 open questions)
How long does it take karst topography to form under a given set of rock and climate conditions?

Karstification is documented only in qualitative, condition-dependent terms: the process is known to proceed through carbonic-acid dissolution of soluble rock, but no source consulted for this entity gives a figure, or even a range, for how long that process takes to produce recognizable karst landforms under a stated set of conditions.

What would resolve this A dating study correlating karst landform ages against known local lithology, climate and hydrology to give quantitative formation-rate ranges, rather than the qualitative description available today.
HydrogeologyWikipedia: Karst
How long does karstification take to shape a landscape?

The atlas own cited source for Karstification states only a qualitative, condition-dependent account of carbonate dissolution and gives no duration or rate figure for how long the process takes to shape a landscape, because the rate depends heavily on rock solubility, climate and water flow, which the source does not quantify.

What would resolve this A hydrogeology or karst geomorphology study measuring carbonate dissolution rates for named lithologies under defined climate and flow conditions, translated into an estimated timescale for landform development, would give this atlas a real figure instead of an unknown Status.
HydrogeologyWikipedia: Karst
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