Appropriate terminology for karst-like phenomena: The problem with ‘pseudokarst’

Authors

Rolan S. Eberhard, Resource Management and Conservation Division, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania, GPO Box 44, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaFollow
Chris Sharples, School of Geography and Environmental Studies, Private Bag 76, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 AustraliaFollow

Abstract

The practice of referring to certain morphologically karst-like phenomena as ‘pseudokarst’ is problematic, because it ignores basic principles of sound classification, logical naming conventions and accepted geomorphic classifications and terminology. These problems have compounded the difficulty in establishing an accepted classification of ‘pseudokarst’ types. The practice embodies a karst-centric perspective which should be avoided in favour of using conventional geomorphic terminology for non-karstic features. We illustrate this by providing existing conventional terms for many ‘pseudokarst’ types reported in the literature.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.42.2.2

Recommended Citation

Eberhard, Rolan S. and Chris Sharples. 2013. Appropriate terminology for karst-like phenomena: The problem with ‘pseudokarst’. International Journal of Speleology, 42: 109-113.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol42/iss2/2