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Karst identification and geology

A landscape and subsurface drainage system developed in soluble rocks—primarily limestone, dolomite, marble, and gypsum—through chemical dissolution by slightly acidic groundwater. Karst features include sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, springs, dolines, and tower karst. Karst topography covers approximately 15–20% of the Earth's ice-free land surface and poses significant engineering and environmental challenges. Field: geomorphology. Example: The Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico is a classic karst landscape developed in Cretaceous limestone, with numerous cenotes water-filled sinkholes that were sacred to the ancient Maya civilization.. Related terms: Sinkhole, Cave, Dissolution, Limestone.

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Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:42.027557+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Karst mean in geology?
A landscape and subsurface drainage system developed in soluble rocks—primarily limestone, dolomite, marble, and gypsum—through chemical dissolution by slightly acidic groundwater. Karst features include sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, springs, dolines, and tower karst. Karst topography covers approximately 15–20% of the Earth's ice-free land surface and poses significant engineering and environmental challenges.
What is an example of Karst?
The Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico is a classic karst landscape developed in Cretaceous limestone, with numerous cenotes water-filled sinkholes that were sacred to the ancient Maya civilization.
Which earth-science field uses the term Karst?
Karst is used in geomorphology.
Which terms are related to Karst?
Related terms in this reference are Sinkhole, Cave, Dissolution, Limestone.

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