Station 7 Geologiepfad Malbun: Dolinen – Sackungstrichter im Gipsgestein

Gypsum rock is easily dissolved and softened by water. This creates underground cavities that sink or collapse. On the surface, this is visible in the form of numerous collapse or subsidence funnels. These are called sinkholes.

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Karst landscapes

Landscapes that are formed by the dissolution of limestones are called karst landscapes. The name Karst comes from a region in Slovenia where there are particularly pronounced such phenomena. These include particularly large and beautiful stalactite caves. The sinkholes in the gypsum rock of Malbun are a karst phenomenon. In contrast to lime, however, gypsum is too soft to form caves. It sags or collapses when the rock dissolves.