karst

[German, after the Karst, a limestone plateau near Trieste.]

(karst)

noun
An area of irregular limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinks, etc.

Etymology
From German, after the Karst, a limestone plateau near Trieste, Slovenia

Karst landscape near Minerve, Hérault, France:



[Photo: Hugo Soria

The name comes from the Karst region of Slovenia, but is now applied to any area of limestone which is dominated by underground streams, and hollows and pits usually caused by subsidence into underground channels. See doline, polje, and uvala for surface, solutional karst features.

Karst is the most strongly developed in humid uplands where very thick, strongly jointed limestones occur. Other typical karst features include blind valleys, sink holes, caves, karren, and springs. Classic areas of karst scenery in Britain occur around Malham and in the Brecon Beacons. The term karstic is used for karst scenery; karstification is the formation of karst scenery, especially the formation of dry valleys and underground drainage systems with the associated development of passages and caves, and with protracted surface solution. See karre. Karstland is an area of karst scenery. See also cockpit karst, labyrinth karst, tower karst.

Topography that develops over very soluble limestones and dolomites, characterized by sinkholes and fluted limestone remnants.