Karst lake

In today's article we are going to explore the fascinating world of Karst lake, a topic that has captured the attention of humanity for decades. From its origins to its current impacts, Karst lake has played a fundamental role in our lives, influencing the way we think, behave and relate to the world around us. Throughout this article, we will examine the various aspects of Karst lake, from its historical importance to its relevance today, providing an in-depth and comprehensive look at this intriguing topic. Join us on this journey of discovery as we explore the mysteries and wonders of Karst lake.

The Eichener See, a temporary (astatic) karst lake near Schopfheim-Eichen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Karst lakes are formed as the result of a collapse of caves, especially in water-soluble rocks such as limestone, gypsum and dolomite. This process is known as karstification. They can cover areas of several hundred square kilometres. Their shallow lakebed is usually an insoluble layer of sediment so that water is impounded, leading to the formation of lakes. Many karst lakes only exist periodically, but return regularly after heavy rainfall.

Distribution

Karst lakes are found in the area around the Harz Mountains of Germany (e. g. the Juessee and the Bauerngraben in the South Harz Karst Landscape Biosphere Reserve, an episodic karst lake on the Karst Trail),[1] in South Germany (e.g. the Eichener See), in France in the region of Quercy, in Estonia the Tudre and the region of Salajõe,[2] in Slovenia (e. g. the Cerkniško jezero), in Montenegro and Albania (e.g., Lake Skadar), in Ireland the so-called turloughs (there is also a turlough in Wales: Pant-y-llyn near Llandeilo[3]), some in the United States and also in Italy (Andalo lake). Even the cenotes in the north of the Mexican peninsula of Yucatán, which were known by the Mayans, may be classed as karst lakes. In Croatia there are group of connected lakes called Baćinska jezera, close to Bosnia and Herzegovina where both temporary and permanent karstic lakes regular phenomenon in poljes, such as Mostarsko Blato, Livanjsko, Fatničko, and Glamočko Polje with seasonal lakes forming in springtime, while permanent lakes are dependent on karst wellsprings, such as lakes of Hutovo Blato.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Biosphärenreservat Karstlandschaft Südharz" (in German). Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  2. ^ "Karstgebiet und Rastplatz Salajõe, Estland" (in German). Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  3. ^ "3180 Turloughs : Freshwater habitats". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 1 April 2022.