Abstract

This paper is a preliminary record of observations of fossil and surficial silikarst phenomena. The term silikarst is a short form for silicate karst. The term karst was introduced for solution processes and forms in carbonate rocks. It was transferred to similar forms and processes in silicate rocks as silikarst. Silikarst developed at the surface is known from a few silicates rock types in Germany, as from granite (e.g., Waldstein in the Fichtelgebirge), from quartzites (e.g., Cretaceous orthoquartzites in the Northern Franconian Alb) and from sandstone in various areas of Germany (e.g., Lower Triassic Buntsandstein). Paleo-silikarst occurs in non-carbonaceous sandstone (e.g., in the Middle Triassic sandstone landscape of the Steigerwald in Northern Bavaria).

Keywords: Granite; Quartzite; Sandstone; Sandstone decay; Weathering pockets; Chromic cambisol