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Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Landforms & Surface Processes

Karst

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

/kɑːrst/nounCommon term

In geology & earth sciences, karst means: A landscape formed when water slowly dissolves soluble rocks such as limestone or gypsum, creating caves, sinkholes, underground rivers and large springs.

In Turkish: karst, karstik arazi

How it is used

Used as a noun and as an adjective: karst landscape, karst aquifer, karst spring. Typical landforms are sinkholes (dolines), poljes and caves. Karst is widespread in Turkey's Taurus Mountains, and the large sinkholes of the Konya region are called obruk.

Example sentences

  1. Rivers often disappear underground in karst areas.

  2. Pollution spreads fast through a karst aquifer.

Common collocations

  • karst landscape
  • karst aquifer
  • karst spring
  • karst topography
  • limestoneA sedimentary rock made mostly of calcium carbonate in the form of the mineral calcite, often built from the shells and skeletons of sea creatures.
  • groundwaterWater held underground in the pores and cracks of soil, sediment and rock below the water table. It feeds wells and springs.
  • aquiferAn underground body of permeable rock or sediment that holds groundwater and lets it flow, so that it can supply wells and springs.
  • weatheringThe breaking down of rock at or near the Earth's surface by physical, chemical or biological processes, without the pieces being carried away.

More terms: Landforms & Surface Processes

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