The Ozark Mountains are known to have one of the largest karst networks in the midwest United States. The Buffalo National River alone has more than 500 caves within its boundaries, making it one of the most cave-rich units in the National Parks. Karst systems are a type of topography that typically forms in contact with carbonate rock units of limestone and dolomite. Karst features begin to form as the calcium carbonate in the rock is dissolved by water, made slightly acidic from absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, decomposing organic material water comes in contact with, and the weathering of minerals in soils. This water percolates down from the surface or circulates underground into cracks and fissures of rock layers, dissolving the calcium carbonate present. These openings are widened by further dissolution, as well as abrasion as sediment is transported through them, hydraulic pressure, the freezing and melting of water, and even tree roots forcing their way into the spaces. Features develop at different rates, which depend on the amount, flow, and acidity of water.
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[{"cave_systems": "n/a", "tours_available": "n/a"}]