Blogging from A to Z Challenge: K is for Karst

For the first time, I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! The concept is simple: Each day in April I’ll be blogging on a topic starting with the letter of the day, beginning with A and progressing to Z by the end of the month. Posts will be short and will relate to my chosen theme: my new coming of age story, Rightfully Ours, released April 1.

[image error]K is for Karst

We’re almost halfway through the alphabet, and I’m feeling a little loopy. What is “karst” anyway? And why did I choose it over “kiss”?

In Rightfully Ours, between the fracking, a rainy spring, and some other geological factors, conditions are ripe for a phenomenon I’ve seen plenty of in south-central Pennsylvania – the sinkhole. No, karst isn’t precisely what I imagine going on underneath my fictional world, but it’s pretty close, what with limestone deposits being prevalent in these parts.

Karst, terrain usually characterized by barren, rocky ground, caves, sinkholes, underground rivers, and the absence of surface streams and lakes. It results from the excavating effects of underground water on massive soluble limestone. The term originally applied to the Karst (or Kras) physiographic region, a limestone area northeast of the Gulf of Trieste in Slovenia, but has been extended to mean all areas with similar features. (Encylcopeadeia Brittanica)

I’d never heard of karst until I started doing a little book research. Interestingly, this is probably what it looks like deep below our basement! Our house is situated about an eighth of a mile from a natural attraction along the Swatara Creek, Indian Echo Caverns. Our neighbors two doors down said that from their basement, they used to be able to hear the sounds of rushing water.

I’ve always been fascinated by caves, and as kid, on our limited travels, I would beg my parents to stop at them. I’d guess I’ve visited five or six caves over the years, most in Pennsylvania. I’m hoping to visit Mammoth Cave National Park next year with my family!

Have you visited natural caverns?

E is for Ectopic Pregnancy.

F is for Fracking.

G is for Gold.

H is for Hot Chocolate.

I is for iPodPlaylist.

J is for Jekyll and Hyde.

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