Karst is associated with soluble rock types such as limestone, marble, and gypsum. In general, a typical karst landscape forms when much of the water falling on the surface interacts with and enters the subsurface through cracks, fractures, and holes that have been dissolved into the bedrock.

What causes karst topography?

Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. ... Subterranean drainage may limit surface water, with few to no rivers or lakes.

Why does Karst occur in certain places?

Karst regions are formed when there is a chemical reaction between the groundwater and the bedrock. As rain, streams, and rivers flow over the earth's surface, the water mixes with the carbon dioxide that naturally exists in air, and the soil becomes acidic and corrodes the calcium carbonate rock.