On Denudation Rates in Karst

Abstract

Paper presents a simple mathematical model, which enables study of denudation rates in karst. A vertical flow of water which is uniformly infiltrated at the surface is assumed. Denudation rate is calculated from the time needed to remove certain thickness of rock. This is done concretely on a limestone block dissected by a vertical array of fractures. It is shown that denudation rate increases with the thickness of removed layer and approaches an upper limit which is defined by the maximum denudation equations, which are based on assumption that all dissolution potential is projected into a surface lowering