* Caves: When groundwater dissolves soluble rocks like limestone or gypsum, it can carve out large underground cavities. These are often referred to as caves.
* Sinkholes: As caves grow and the roof becomes thin, it can collapse, creating a depression in the surface called a sinkhole.
* Karst topography: This refers to a landscape characterized by sinkholes, caves, and other features formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks.
* Canyons: While canyons are often associated with surface erosion by rivers, flowing groundwater can also contribute to their formation, particularly in areas with soluble rocks.
* Springs: When groundwater flows to the surface, it can emerge as a spring.
* Stalactites and Stalagmites: As groundwater drips from cave ceilings, dissolved minerals precipitate out, forming icicle-like stalactites hanging down and cone-shaped stalagmites growing upwards from the cave floor.
Other features:
* Solution channels: Flowing groundwater can erode channels within the rock, often following cracks or fractures.
* Blind valleys: In karst areas, valleys can abruptly end at a sinkhole, as the water flowing through them is absorbed by the underlying rock.
It's important to note that the specific features formed by flowing groundwater will vary greatly depending on the geological context. The type of rock, the amount of water flow, the presence of fractures, and the climate all play a role in shaping the landscape.
