This document provides an overview of karst topography and the geological processes involved in its formation. Karst topography is shaped by the dissolution of soluble bedrock like limestone by mildly acidic water. This causes features like caves, sinkholes, stalactites, stalagmites, and disappearing streams. The water dissolves along fractures in the bedrock, enlarging openings underground and forming drainage systems. Over thousands of years, this process creates characteristic karst landforms.

1. Guided by,
associate Prof. ASHA MANJERY
Dept. of earth science 108/04/19

2. CONTENT
Introduction
Chemistry
Condition for karst formation
Morphological features
 conclusion
reference
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3. •.
INTRODUCTION
caves, sinkholes,stalagmites,stalactites,
speleogens, natural springs, losing streams,
natural bridges are main features
Karst topography is a geologic formation
shaped by the dissolution of a layer or layers of
soluble bedrock, usually carbonate rock such as
limestone or dolomite
The geological process of erosion can take
thousands of years to form Karst topography
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4. CHEMISTRY
Karst landforms are generally the result of
mildly acidic water acting on weakly soluble
bedrock
 The mildly acidic water begins to dissolve the
surface along bedding planes in the bedrock.
These fractures enlarge as the bedrock continues
to dissolve.
 Openings in the rock increase in size, and an
underground drainage system begins to develop,
allowing more water to pass through the area,
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5. The Limestone formation contains > 80%
calcium
Carbonates
Complex patterns of joints for conducting water
through subsurface drainage channels
An air-containing zone between ground surface
and water Table
Vegetation cover to supply organic acids
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6. •Caverns
•Sinkholes
•Disappearing streams
•cave deposits :
Speleogens
stalactites
stalagmites
columns
•Spring deposits:
geodes
kankars
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7. The formation and development of caves is
known as speleogenesis
Caverns are commonly interlinked with one
another. The linking passages are known as
galleries
Caves are resulted from the dissolution of
carbonate rock by circulating groundwater.
Limestone caves are generally believed to
result from dissolution by carbonic acid.
The rate of cave formation is related to the rate
of dissolution
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9. SINKHOLES
An opening which connects the cave with the surface is
called sinkhole
Some sinkholes are formed when caves have
collapsed-collapse sink hole, others are formed from
dissolution-solution sinkhole
Many sinkholes are located at the
intersection of joints.
New sinkholes are forming because of the
lowering of the water table due to
excessive pumping.08/04/19 9

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12. In karst areas, streams often disappear into
the ground usually at a sinkhole. some
disappearing streams eventually return to the
surface as natural spring.
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13. Speleogens are irregular or distinctive shapes
of carbonate rock etched from bedrock by
dripping or running water.
• Speleogens can form where bedrock is not
uniform in chemical composition.
speleothems including cone-shaped stalactites ,
stalagmites , columns
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14. Stalactites are formed by the deposition of calcium
carbonate and other minerals, which is precipitate
from mineralized water solutions &hanging from the
roof of a cave
 The same water drops that fall from the tip of a
stalactite deposit more calcite on the floor below,
eventually resulting in a rounded or cone-shaped
stalagmite
If these formations grow together, the result is
known as a columns
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16. Spring deposits
Under ground water highly charged with mineral matter
emerging on the surface in the form of spring is often
found to form loose , superficial deposits of Si or CaCO3.
GEODES: A rock mass with a spherical cavity filled with
mineral crystals. Commonly occur in Limestone & shale
KANKARS: In unconsolidated sediments, such
deposition in the interspaces causes cementation of loose
material and their consequent conversion into compact
rocks. The compact masses so produced are called
Kankars.
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17. CONCLUSION
• Karst topography is a geologic formation shaped by
the dissolution of a layer or layers of soluble bedrock.
• Mildly acidic water begins to dissolve the surface along
bedding planes in the bedrock.
• Mainly it seen in limestone terrance's .
• caves, sinkholes,stalagmites,stalactites, speleogens,
natural springs, losing streams, natural bridges are the
main features produced by karst topography.
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18. REFERENCE
William D . Thornbary (1954), principles of geomorphology ,
Wiley eastern limited, p.p- 303 to 335.
O.D Von engeln (1942), geomorphology, the MacMillan
company, p.p- 563 to 588
Edward Derbyshire (1976), geomorphology & climate , John
Wiley and sons ,p.p - 345 ,391 to 399.
Websites
www.goole.com
www. Wikepedia.com
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