What is Karst Topography?
Before understanding karst topography, let us learn about the term topography. Topography is the study of features and forms of landscape in any specific area of the earth. Karst topography can be simply called Karst landscape and it is formed primarily with soluble rocks. Solidification and accumulation of soluble rocks like gypsum, dolomite, and limestone leads to the formation of the karst landscape.
It further leads to the development of drainage systems under the earth’s surface located mainly in caves and sinkholes. Karst is a German word that is used in English. The meaning of this word is ‘rock’, however, there are several interpretations to it.
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Karst Topography Features
This section deals with the karst topography features that you should know. It will be easier for you to understand the karst landscape with the help of a karst topography diagram. For now, you can go through the features:
Sinkholes: Sinkholes are one of the primary Karst topography features. Sinkholes are found in the areas where an accumulation of limestone./dolomite takes place. These are depressions that are mainly of the saucer shape or like a cylinder. You can understand the shape of a sinkhole with the help of a karst topography diagram.
Swallow Hole: Also known as ‘Serbo-Coat’ or ‘Ponor’, the shallow hole is one of the prominent features of karst topography. Often, the shallow holes are shown on the karst topography diagram clearly. In this case, the water (in any form) disappears from the hole of the karst.
Valley Sinks: Valley sinks formed while karst formation and they are more complex than the normal depression They are also known as Uvalas. You can study about them in the karst topography pdf that you can easily get on the internet.
Erosional Landforms Related to Karst Topography
Multiple types of erosional landforms define the karst topography. Here is a brief list and some information about it. These landforms develop in the process of karst formation itself. If you want to know what is karst topography, you should always know about the following:
Pools: Pools are formed in the case of the karst topography due to erosion and later, accumulation of water. This can be easily mentioned in the process of karst formation. You can also include pools as the answer to the question, what is karst topography.
Limestone Pavements: The limestone pavements are advanced lapies that are formed due to the gradual accumulation of the limestone. These can be parallel as well as non-parallel. You can read about them on the karst topography pdf.
Caves: Karst formation leads to the development of the caves. You can call a karst topography a cave and include it in the answer for what is karst topography. The caves are generally formed where the deposition of limestone and dolomite is high. You can call it a karst cave when there is a strong bed.
Karst Topography Examples
In this section, you can go through the list of places where there is Karst topography. So, all these places can be considered as karst topography examples.
Ankarana Reserve: The Ankarana Reserve is located in Madagascar and houses a lot of Jurassic limestone period. It is an accessible reserve and you can consider it to be one of the karst topography examples.
The South China Karst: The South China Karst is yet another accessible karst landscape of the earth and it is considered a world heritage site. You can study it in the karst topography pdf available on the internet.
Borra Caves: The Borra Caves are situated in Andhra Pradesh, India and it is full of limestone stalactites and stalagmites. This is the reason why it is counted as karst topography examples.
Karst Erosion
In any karst formation, erosion is a very common thing. It happens mainly due to the flowing water. The soluble rocks like limestone and dolomite or gypsum erode due to the downward movement of the water. Erosion of the karst landscape often gives rise to new karst landforms. This occurs mainly because the rock bed develops due to the deposition of limestone or dolomite. This is the only reason why one should not start living at a place where there is a karst landform. Erosions in this place can be drastic and any accident caused due to it can be fatal.
FAQs on Karst Topography
1. Why is it important to conserve the karst landforms?
To conserve the world as a whole, it is important to conserve the karst landforms too. However, specifically, it is vital because soluble rocks like dolomite and limestone are generally very old. These types of landforms are often powerhouses of fossils and it is one of the main things that provide us with a glimpse of life on earth in the prehistoric era. Another reason why the karst landforms must be conserved is due to the revenue it generates as a tourist spot. In all leading countries, people visit the karst landscapes to witness their natural beauty. This way the government earns a lot of money.
2. What are the suitable geographical conditions in which the karst landscape can develop?
Some geographical conditions are required for the karst landscapes to form. Here you can go through them. All the conditions mentioned here can be included in the answer to the question of what is karst topography. Firstly, the presence of a huge stretch of water-soluble rocks should be present in an area. These rocks can be limestone or dolomite. Secondly, the limestone should be non-porous. Third, all the rocks in the stretch should be jointed and should have the shape of a thin bed. However, if the bed is thick, it can take the shape of a cave. Finally, rainfall is needed in case of erosion and it can initiate the spreading of the landform.
