The karst phenomenon in Chile
El fenómeno carístico en Chile
Author
Cecioni, Giovanni
Full text
https://investigacionesgeograficas.uchile.cl/index.php/IG/article/view/2767210.5354/0719-5370.1982.27672
Abstract
Evidences of Karst phenomenon by action of corrosion in Chile, have been recognizedonly in the Coastal Tarapaca Cordillera, in the Upper Paleozoic limestonesof the Patagonian Archipielago and in the limestone of the El Loa Formationas well as in the clay limestones member of the Cerro Toro Formation atthe Ultima Esperanza Province. The observed forms are karren, a few sink-holetype dolines, wide and flat and great uvalas. It is possible that some of theselatter might correspond to poljas; however, an appropriate study of this phenomenonhas never been carried out. The extration of the Guarello limestones let outcavern with sink at the roof and lateral horizontal grottos at sea level. By theaction of solution, in the Atacama Andes salt deposits, two embrionary and recentsink-holes have been observed. In the Uppermost Jurassic Main Gypsum,near the Maipo Gorge, there are numerous well developed dolinas, parcially coveredby a salt glacier. While at the northern chilean sector the lime karst landscapeis a "fossil" feature, at the south it is very active and it has developedover limestones which really are similar to the "marmo ordinario" of Carrara,of lower most quality.