Solutional weathering and karstic landscapes on quartz sandstones and quartzite
RIS ID
90499
Abstract
Landscapes on highly quartzose bedrock that exhibit almost identical scale and morphology to those on karstified limestones occur under a range of climates and on most continents. These include ruiniform towers, grikes, stone cities, caves, dolines, smaller surface karren, and silica speleothems. However, these rocks are much less soluble than most carbonates, and the weathering processes are quite different. However, because chemical solution is demonstratively a critical component in the genesis of these landforms, they may be regarded as karst. This chapter summarizes the processes of karstification in quartz sandstones and then reviews the incidence of these landforms around the world.
Publication Details
Wray, R. (2013). Solutional weathering and karstic landscapes on quartz sandstones and quartzite. Treatise on Geomorphology: Volume 6: Karst Geomorphology (pp. 463-483). San Diego: Academic Press.