Karst Processes and Landforms

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to karst processes and landforms, including definitions and explanations essential for understanding the subject.

Karst

A terrain with distinctive hydrology and landforms, arising from high rock solubility and well-developed secondary porosity.

Primary Porosity

Voids in the original rock.

Secondary Porosity

Voids caused by jointing, fracturing, or solution of rock.

Solution of Calcium Carbonate

The process in which calcium carbonate dissolves in response to carbonic acid created from water and carbon dioxide.

Speleothems

Mineral formations in caves, such as stalactites and stalagmites, formed from the deposition of minerals from dripping water.

Rimstone Dams

Natural dams that form in caves when water flows over an obstruction, causing CO2 loss and calcium carbonate precipitation.

Calcite Terraces

Landforms created when hot, calcium carbonate-saturated water cools and precipitates calcium carbonate.

Doline

A depression or hole in the ground caused by the collapse of a cave or solution of rock.

Collapse Sinkhole

A type of sinkhole that occurs when the roof of an underground cavern collapses.

Solution Sinkhole

A sinkhole formed by the dissolution of limestone, leading to surface depressions.

Disappearing Stream

A stream that flows into a sinkhole or underground cavern to continue its course below the surface.

Haystack Hills (Hums)

Mound-like hills in karst landscapes typically formed from the erosion of the surrounding landscape.

Polje

A large, flat, closed basin typical of karst landscapes, often used for agriculture.

Tower Karst

A type of karst landscape characterized by steep-sided hills formed from the erosion of limestone.

Cenote

A natural pit or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock, which exposes groundwater underneath.