What is Limestone Geology & What is Karst?
Limestone Geology refers to areas that are underlain by carbonate rocks such as limestone, dolomite and marble. Carbonate rocks will dissolve when exposed to acid and since normal rainwater is slightly acidic, it will dissolve these rocks over time. This slow process will eventually produce a landscape characterized by fluted and pitted rock surfaces, vertical shafts, sinkholes, sinking streams, springs, subsurface drainage systems and caves. These features are called “karst features” and the resulting landscape is called “karst terrain.” Karst terrain is also characterized by abundant rock outcrops, closed depressions, and limited surface drainage. Karst Aquifers An aquifer is a body of sand, gravel, fractured bedrock, or other earth material that can provide groundwater from a well or spring in useful amounts, such as to supply a household. Likewise, a karst aquifer is an aquifer that occurs within limestone geology, where the limestone (or other easily dissolved rock) has been parti
