Limestone features
The Burren, Co. Clare
The word Karst means exposed or bare
ground. It is used mainly to describe a
Limestone area where this karstic
landscape can be seen.
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Lack of rivers
Swallow holes on the surface
Dolines
Underground water
• Permeable
• Well jointed
• Has bedding planes
• Chemically weathered by……
…..carbonation
Overground features:
• Limestone pavement with
clints, grikes and karren
• Terraces
• Swallow holes
• Dolines / Sinkholes
• Turloughs
Limestone Pavement
clints
Grikes
Terrace
Underground features:
• Caves and passages
• Stalactites
• Stalagmites
• Pillars
• Curtains
• Streams