Karst Landforms Caves, sinkholes and other soluble rock features
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Transcript of Karst Landforms Caves, sinkholes and other soluble rock features
Karst Landforms• Caves, sinkholes and other soluble rock features• Form in extensive, thick deposits of limestone• Limestone 80%+ calcium carbonate – dissolves
easily through carbonation
Caves and Caverns• Caves – underground
voids in rock big enough for people to enter
• Cavern – large cave system
• Form just below water table in limestone – when
water table falls, empty caverns are exposed
Karst Topography - Sinkholes
• Most common surface feature of karst is sinkhole
• Sinkhole – depression in regions of cavernous limestone – forms from collapse of cave
• Often found with disappearing streams that enter underground channels
• Some sinkholes fill with water, forming ponds
• Sinkholes can be hazards, collapsing under homes or roads
Sinkhole Landscape