The Development of Karst Conditions

Abstract

The following is a brief introduction to the development of karst conditions from deposition to the variety of post-depositional processes that have created what we see today. This is a very broad topic and is specifi c to the area in which it occurs as well as the maturity of the process. This includes the types of soluble rock, rates of dissolution and geomorphic processes that may affect the dissolution process. The benefi t of this information lies in the ability to understand what karst conditions may exist or be expected at a particular site. Often the various geologic settings provide clues as the type, depth, shape or relationship of expected karst features that may be present.