What characterizes a karst landscape?

A karst landscape is primarily characterized by its unique geological features that result from the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, or gypsum. This process of dissolution leads to the formation of distinctive topographical elements, including caverns, sinkholes, and underground rivers.

Caverns are large, underground spaces that are formed when acidic water seeps through cracks in the rock. This water dissolves the limestone over time, creating expansive chambers. Sinkholes are depressions or holes that form when the ground above a cavity collapses, often resulting from the erosion of the underlying rock. These features are hallmarks of karst topography and illustrate the dynamic interactions between geological processes and water.

The other options refer to different geological formations. Solid granite formations are characteristic of igneous rocks and often occur in mountainous regions but do not relate to karst processes. High mountain ranges are typically formed by tectonic activity, not by the dissolution processes seen in karst formations. Volcanic activity involves the eruption of molten rock and ash, resulting in volcanic landscapes that differ significantly from those formed through karst processes. Thus, the presence of caverns and sinkholes directly aligns with the defining characteristics of a karst landscape.