Karst landforms

Carbonate formations cover 33% of the surface of Greece. Their karstification is one of the key factors in shaping the landscape and creating karstic landforms. The water enriched mainly in CO2 of the atmosphere and the soil is a great solvent that causes the chemical weathering - dissolving of carboniferous rocks (limestones - marbles).

The subsequent karstic erosion, results in the creation of the karst relief with clear morphological characters and varied surface (lapiés, dolines, poljes, dry or blind valleys, natural bridges e.t.c.) and underground (caves, basins, underground rivers, etc.) karstic landforms.

Another result of karstic erosion is the creation of smaller or more important karstic springs from which the waters circulating in the karstified carbonate volumes are discharged.