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