Karst topography

1. Presentation
On
Karst Topography
Presented
By
Ahmad Raza
Y18251003
(M.Tech 1st Sem)
Under the Guidance
Of
Prof. P.K. Kathal
Department of Applied Geology
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.)

2. CONTENTS
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• What is Karst topography?
• World Distribution of Karst
• Factors Affecting Karst
• Condition Essential to Development
• Erosional Landforms
• Depositional Landforms
• Karst Cycle of Erosion
• Why Karst is Important ?
• References

4. WHAT IS KARST TOPOGRAPHY ?
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• The word ‘Karst’ is a comprehensive term applied to limestone or dolomite areas that possess a
topography fixed to and dependent upon underground solution and diversion of surface waters to
underground routes.
• The term comes from the narrow strip of limestone plateau in Yugoslavia and adjacent portion of
Italy bordering the Adriatic sea (Wray, 1992).

5. WORLD DISTRIBUTION OF KARST AREAS & CARBONATAE ROCK
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar

6. WORLD DISTRIBUTION OF KARST AREAS & CARBONATAE ROCK
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Important Karst Areas
 All State Of United States
 Southern France
 Spanish Andularia
 Yuctan In Mexico
 Jamaica
 Western Cuba
 South East Asia
 Western Australia
• Karst Area In India
 In Himalyan Area
 Tapkeswer Temple In Deharadun
 Bheemkund, Arjunkund & Pachmarhi In Mp
 Bastar District ,Chhattisgarh
 Yana Uttarakanada District Of Karnataka
 Mawsmai Cave At Cherrapunji

7. CONDITIONS ESSENTIAL TO FULL DEVELOPMENT OF KARST
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Presence of soluble rock preferably limestone at or near the ground surface .
• The soluble rock should be massive, dense, highly jointed and preferably thinly bedded.
• Existence of entrenched valley below uplands underlain by soluble and well jointed rocks.
• The region must support moderate to abundant rainfall.
• The position of soluble rock(limestone) must be above the ground water table, so that surface
drainage may disappear through sink.
• Considerable relief so that water is capable of circulation to cause typical karst topography.

8. FACTORS AFFECTING KARST TOPOGRAPHY
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Lithology – solubility ,nature of resistance and
widespread distribution.
• Structure – secondary permeability e.g. joints ,
fractures.
• Relief .
• Hydrogeology - carbon dioxide ,water , calcium
carbonate .
• Climate – temperature and moisture .
• Vegetation .
• pH content of water .
• Time .
Dissolution Reactions
H2O + CO2 H2CO3(CARBONATION)
CaCO3 + H2CO3 Ca2+ + 2HCO3
–

9. EROSIONAL LANDFORMS OF KARST
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Terra Rossa - Red clayey soil found along
joint ( moderate slope).
• Lapies – small solution furrows with pitted &
rugged surface (horizontal surface). Depth- 1
cm to 1 m.

10. EROSIONAL LANDFORMS OF KARST
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Sinkholes - Shallow depressions, funnel
shaped, 10 feet – 30 feet.
• Dolines – circular solution depressions,
formed along intersection joints (solution
sinks) .
• Solution pan – large width but shallow
dolines.

11. EROSIONAL LANDFORMS OF KARST
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Swallow Holes – surface opening through
which water enters a sinkholes.
• Uvalas – large depressions due to
merging of sinkholes, have irregular floor.

12. EROSIONAL LANDFORMS OF KARST
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Polje – Elongated basin, flat floor with
alluvium, steep enclosing walls,
• Cave & Caverns – Natural subterranean
runway voids, large dimension voids
below ground surface formed by solution
activity and abrasion along jointing plains.

13. EROSIONAL LANDFORMS OF KARST
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Natural bridge – collapse of roof of caves.
- disappearance of surface
streams as subterranean streams and
reappearance of subterranean stream on
the ground surface.

14. DEPOSITIONAL LANDFORMS
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
DRIPSTONES
Stalactites & Stalagmites
Column
Soda straw
Helictites & Heligmites

15. KARST CYCLE OF EROSION
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• It is a special phase of normal fluvial cycle (Davis,
1930).
• Three stages
1. Youth stage – The enlargement of sink holes and swallow
holes into dolines surface drainage starts disappearing
underground through different sinks or blind valleys.
Features are sinkholes, swallow holes, dolines, lapies,
blind valleys, sinking creeks, caves and caverns of
smaller dimension.
2. Mature stage - Total disappearance of surface drainage
underground. The surface drainage disappears
underground through dolines and blind valleys.
3. Old stage - The cave roofs are totally collapsed and ridges
with pitted surface between uvalas are considerably
narrowed down and reduced in height.

16. WHY KARST IS IMPORTANT ?
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
• Geotechnical studies – construction of towns,
roadways, railways, bridges, buildings etc.
• Water movements studies – underground drainage
systems, drinking water springs.
• Paleoclimatic studies – karst topography reflects
a particular settings of climatic conditions
mention earlier.
• Recreational activities - Although most of the
caves located in National Parks are protected,
there are over 200 commercial show caves
nationwide which are open to the public.

17. KARST TOPOGRAPHY SUMMARY
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar

18. References
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidalaya, Sagar
1. Principles of Geomorphology 2nd edition- William D. Thornbury
2. Fundamental of Geomorphology 4th edition- Richard John Huggett
3. https://www.alamy.es/curiosamente-en-forma-de-cascada-de-estalactitas-y-estalagmitas-en-
cueva-de-estalactita-en-cheow-lago-leman-de-tailandia-phuket-khao-sok-np-
image283717376.html
4. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/First-karst-aquifer-map-of-the-Indian-subcontinent-and-
the-Himalaya-region-with-location_fig2_327769477

19. Thank you...