Unit 5: Geology (part 2) - Karst Topography

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to caves, karst topography, and the ecological adaptations of organisms that inhabit cave environments.

Karst Topography

Landforms created by the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, leading to features like caves and sinkholes.

Biomineralization

The process where living organisms produce minerals to harden their tissues, forming structures like shells, bones, and teeth.

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

A mineral essential to the formation of limestone, produced by the combination of calcium ions and carbonate ions.

Limestone

A soft, organic sedimentary rock formed from the accumulation of calcium carbonate shells and skeletal remains over millions of years.

Speleothems

Mineral formations in caves, such as stalactites and stalagmites, typically made of calcite.

Sinkhole

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

Disappearing Streams

Surface water that flows into and through cave systems and re-emerges as springs.

Stalactites

Icicle-shaped formations that hang from the ceiling of caves, formed from dripping calcite-rich water.

Stalagmites

Formation that grows from the floor of a cave beneath a stalactite, created by dripping water depositing minerals.

Bioluminescence

The ability of some organisms, like glow worms, to produce light through chemical reactions, often to attract prey.

Adaptations

Changes in organisms that enhance their survival in specific environments, such as caves.

Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air; in caves, it's typically saturated, supporting unique ecosystems.

Carbonic Acid

A weak acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater, crucial for dissolving limestone.

Calcite

A common mineral form of calcium carbonate, which forms caves and speleothems.