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Abstract:
Karst is treated as a specific kind of fluid circulation system capable to self-development and self-organization. Active karst may evolve at wide range of geological environments, from deep-seated (without any apparent relation to the surface) to sub-surface, and be represented by confined and unconfined circulation systems. Extrinsic factors and intrinsic mechanisms of karst development change regularly and considerably within the general cycle of geological evolution of a soluble rocks or, more specifically, within hydrogeologic cycle. The latter encompasses a period of exposure between major transgressions and is characterized by progressively expanding meteoric groundwater circulation. A broad evolutionary approach is therefore needed to differentiate between karst types, which concurrently represent distinct stages of karst development. This is also a mean to adequately classify speleogenetic settings. Evolutionary typology of karst considers the whole cycle of a formation's life, from deposition (syngenetic karst) through deep burial to exposure and denudation. The group of intrastratal karst types includes deep-seated, subjacent, entrenched and denuded karst, the latter also fall into the group of exposed karst types. Exposed karst includes also open karst which represents the pure line of exposed development, that is karst evolved solely when the soluble rock has been exposed to the surface. Exposed karst development can be interrupted by a subsequent burial (buried karst), with paleokarst formed in result, and rejuvenated by exhumation. The types of karst are marked by characteristic associations of structural prerequisites for groundwater flow and speleogenesis, flow regime, recharge mode and recharge/discharge configurations, groundwater chemistry and a degree of inheritance. Consequently, these associations generate particular types of caves.