!!!Karst

Karst, type of terrain characterised by soluble carbonate or sulfate 
bedrock, with mainly underground drainage, and characteristic 
landforms created by the dissolution of bedrock limestone, such as 
dolines, karren,  Caves, and large karst springs. The name originates 
from the Karst region in Carnolia, the geological analysis of which - 
carried out by researchers from all parts of the Austro-Hungarian 
Monarchy - led to the recognition and definition of this special type 
of landscape, so that the term came into international usage.

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Over one sixth of the area of Austria consists of soluble rock suited 
to karst drainage; in addition, large areas comprise gravel plains and 
rubble-covered zones with the same types of soluble rock. Because 
karst regions often have "giant karst springs" of majestic 
size with high quality water, they are important catchment areas for 
the water supplies of large cities (Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, 
Villach, etc.). The conservation and environmental protection of the 
karst regions are therefore of particular significance.

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Many karst regions, such as the Styrian and Lower Austrian Alps, are 
covered with forest ("Gruen-Karst"). The deforestation of 
these regions, to create ski slopes, for example, increases the danger 
of ground erosion and result in non-vegetated areas 
("Kahl-Karst"), which are extremely difficult to reforest 
(Kalvarienberg near Baden, Alpenostrand).

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Karst regions with important plateau areas are the Tote Gebirge 
mountains and the Warscheneck mountains (Upper Austria, Styria); the 
Dachstein massif (Upper Austria, Styria, Salzburg); the Salzburg 
Limestone Alps with the Steinernes Meer Mountains, Hagengebirge 
Mountains, Tennengebirge Mountains, Untersberg Mountain, and others; 
Rax Mountain and Schneeberg Mountain (Lower Austria); Hochschwab 
Mountain (Styria); and Dobratsch Mountain (Carinthia), as well as the 
Raetikon Mountains, the Ifen region (Vorarlberg) and others.

!Literature
J. G. Zoetl, Karsthydrogeologie, 1974.


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