{"id":6691,"date":"2025-11-03T09:35:52","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T09:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/?page_id=6691"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:06:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T10:06:22","slug":"karst-aquifers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/","title":{"rendered":"Karst aquifers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t\t<section class=\"hero-section hero-section-with-social\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Karst aquifers<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-wrap social-wrap-inline-them\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sea-background-f\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Share this article<\/span><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/\"><span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span class=\"hidden\">Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Karst%20aquifers&#038;url=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/\"><span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span class=\"hidden\">Twitter<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   onclick=\"javascript:void( (function() {var e=document.createElement('script' );e.setAttribute('type','text\/javascript' );e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8' );e.setAttribute('src','\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());\"  href=\"javascript:void(0);\"><span class=\"icon-pinterest\"><span class=\"hidden\">Pinterest<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/wa.me?text=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/\"><span class=\"icon-whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden\">WhatsApp<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   href=\"mailto:?subject=Karst%20aquifers&#038;body=Aquifers%20formed%20in%20the%20Chalk%20Group%20and%20the%20Jurassic%20and%20Permian%20limestones%20of%20England.%20(https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/)\"><span class=\"icon-mail\"><span class=\"hidden\">Email<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"#\" data-copy=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/\" class=\"copy-url-on-click\"><span class=\"icon-link\"><span class=\"hidden\">Copy Link<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-bgs-blocks-content-container content-section\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12\">\n<p>Karst is a type of landform that results from the dissolution of rocks. It is usually associated with cave systems and landscapes characterised by rocks sculpted by dissolution with large surface depressions, disappearing rivers and major springs. Karst processes occur in all soluble rocks, resulting in high vulnerability to pollution. Karst rocks are also impacted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/what-causes-sinkholes-and-where-do-they-occur-in-the-uk\/\">sinkholes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/carbonates.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Map showing the distribution of the Chalk and Jurassic and Permian limestones in England. Contains Ordnance Survey data \u00a9 Crown Copyright and database rights 2016. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_13325\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/carbonates.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"carbonates\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/carbonates.jpg\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Map showing the distribution of the Chalk and Jurassic and Permian limestones in England. Contains Ordnance Survey data \u00a9 Crown Copyright and database rights 2016. BGS \u00a9 UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/carbonates.jpg\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UK karst aquifers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the UK, karst is usually associated with Carboniferous-aged limestone, in which there is extensive cave development. The longest-known cave is more than 80 km in length and there are more than 170 explored caves that are more than 1 km long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, caves are uncommon in the Chalk and the Jurassic and Permian limestones of England. The longest known cave in the Jurassic limestones is around 3.8 km, although many areas of Jurassic limestones have no known caves. The longest known cave in the Chalk is 360 m; the longest in the Permian limestones is 290 m. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"owl-carousel carousel-primary-color carousel owl-theme thumbs-carousel-js\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/chalk-cave-1.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;A chalk cave in Berkshire, England. Approximately 0.4 m wide and 2.5 m deep. BGS (c) UKRI.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_90873\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/chalk-cave-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"A void in some chalk rock surrounded by dead leaves\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>A chalk cave in Berkshire, England. Approximately 0.4 m wide and 2.5 m deep. BGS (c) UKRI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/chalk-cave-1.jpg\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/jurassicLimestoneCave.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Jurassic limestone cave, Yorkshire. Photo \u00a9 John Dale and Carl Thomas.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_90873\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/jurassicLimestoneCave.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"jurassicLimestoneCave\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Jurassic limestone cave, Yorkshire. Photo \u00a9 John Dale and Carl Thomas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/jurassicLimestoneCave.jpg\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"item\"><figure  class=\"img-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/Carboniferous-lst-cave-South-Wales.jpg\" data-toggle=\"lightbox\" data-footer=\"&lt;p&gt;Carboniferous limestone cave, south Wales. \u00a9 Tim Guilford.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-gallery=\"gallery_90873\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/Carboniferous-lst-cave-South-Wales.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"A huge dark cavern with a tiny human figure in the bottom right\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Carboniferous limestone cave, south Wales. \u00a9 Tim Guilford.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"expand-box expand-box-top\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/Carboniferous-lst-cave-South-Wales.jpg\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/expand.svg\" alt=\"Expand icon\"><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<p>Despite the limited cave development, complex networks of smaller-scale dissolutional voids occur in these aquifers, enabling rapid or long-distance pollutant transport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evidence for karst in the Chalk and Jurassic and Permian limestone aquifers includes the presence of:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#sinks\">stream sinks<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#dolines\">dolines<\/a>&nbsp;(sinkholes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#solpipes\">solution pipes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#conduits\">conduits<\/a>&nbsp;(observed in quarries or boreholes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>large&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#springs\">springs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#tracers\">tracer tests<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features#microbes\">microbial contaminants and turbidity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Karst information and resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-report-series\/\">BGS karst report series<\/a>&nbsp;provides an overview of the evidence of karst in different regions of England with Chalk or Jurassic or Permian limestone geology. The new understanding of karst in the Chalk is presented in Maurice et al. (2021), with additional information on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-hydrogeology-of-the-bedhampton-and-havant-springs\/\">karst hydrogeology of the Bedhampton and Havant springs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Karst in the Chalk and Jurassic and Permian limestones is also discussed by BGS&#8217;s Lou Maurice in this presentation to the Thames Valley Regional Group of the Geological Society, &#8216;Karst \u2014 an unexpectedly widespread phenomenon in England&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div  id=\"video-1793-block_8963cb775fa51572049f2a2e17c50785\" class=\"video-wrap  \" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"position-relative\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/i3.ytimg.com\/vi\/khX3Y4NwMaQ\/hqdefault.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/video.svg\" class=\"video-play\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption sm-line\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/themes\/bgs\/img\/info-caption.svg\" alt=\"Information icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"caption-text\"><p>Presentation to the Thames Valley Regional Group of the Geological Society.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"into-video\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<noscript>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe class=\"video-section\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/khX3Y4NwMaQ?enablejsapi=1&#038;version=3&#038;playerapiid=ytplayer&#038;rel=0&#038;autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/noscript>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Further reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>References related to different karst topics are provided. These reference lists are not comprehensive but provide a starting point for scientists interested in the karst hydrogeology of the UK karst aquifers in which cave development is limited (the Chalk and the Jurassic and Permian limestones). Some more general references on karst are included for context. Further references can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-the-uk\/karst-aquifers\/karst-report-series\/\">BGS karst reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"acc-top secondary-background icon-arrow button no-btn\"><span class=\"button-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">Chalk karst groundwater<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-body sea-background-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Agbotui, P Y, West, L J, and Bottrell, S H. 2020.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jhydrol.2020.125191\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Characterisation of fractured carbonate aquifers using ambient borehole dilution tests<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Journal of Hydrology<\/em>, Vol. 589, 125191. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jhydrol.2020.125191<\/p>\n<p>Allshorn, S J L, Bottrell, S H, West, L J, and Odling, N E. 2007.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP279.10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rapid karstic bypass flow in the unsaturated zone of the Yorkshire chalk aquifer and implications for contaminant transport<\/a>. 111\u2013122 in\u00a0<em>Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards in Karst Areas: recognition, analysis and mitigation<\/em>. Parise, M, and Gunn, J (editors). <em>Geological Society of London Special Publications<\/em>, Vol. 279. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP279.10<\/p>\n<p>Ballesteros, D, Farrant, A, Nehme, C, Woods, M, Todisco, D, and Mouralis, D. 2020.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.5038\/1827-806X.49.3.2319\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stratigraphical influence on chalk cave development in Upper Normandy, France: implications for chalk hydrogeology<\/a>.\u00a0<em>International Journal of Speleology<\/em>, Vol. 49(3), 187\u2013208. DOI: http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.5038\/1827-806X.49.3.2319<\/p>\n<p>Banks, D, Davies, C, and Davies, W. 1995.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1144\/GSL.QJEGH.1995.028.S1.03\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Chalk as a karstic aquifer: evidence from a tracer test at Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, UK<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology<\/em>, Vol. 28(1), S31\u2013S38. DOI: http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1144\/GSL.QJEGH.1995.028.S1.03<\/p>\n<p>Edmonds, C. 2008.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.enggeo.2007.11.019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improved groundwater vulnerability mapping for the karstic Chalk aquifer of south east England<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Engineering Geology<\/em>, Vol. 99(3\u20134), 95\u2013108. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.enggeo.2007.11.019<\/p>\n<p>El Janyani, S, Dupont, J P, Massei, N, Slimani, S, and D\u00f6rfliger, N. 2014.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-013-1083-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hydrological role of karst in the Chalk aquifer of Upper Normandy, France<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Hydrogeology Journal<\/em>, Vol. 22(3), 663\u2013677. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-013-1083-z<\/p>\n<p>Farrant, A R, Maurice, L, Mathewson, E, Ascott, M, Earl, G, and Wilkinson, D. 2021.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nora.nerc.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/532416\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Caves and karst of the Chalk in East Sussex; implications for groundwater management<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Cave and Karst Science<\/em>, Vol. 48(2), 65\u201383.<\/p>\n<p>Farrant, A R, Maurice, L, Nehme C, and Ballesteros, D. 2021.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The genesis and evolution of karstic conduit systems in the Chalk<\/a>. In\u00a0<em>The Chalk Aquifers of Northern Europe<\/em>. Farrell, R. P, Massei, N, Foley, A E, Howlett, P R, and West, L J. (editors).\u00a0<em>Geological Society of London Special Publications<\/em>, Vol 517. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-126<\/p>\n<p>Foley, A, and Worthington, S R H. 2021.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Advances in conceptualising transport in Chalk aquifers<\/a>. 75\u201391 in <em>The Chalk Aquifers of Northern Europe<\/em>. Farrell, R P, Massei, N, Foley, A E, Howlett, P R and West, L J. (editors).\u00a0<em>Geological Society of London Special Publications<\/em>, Vol. 517. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-173<\/p>\n<p>Karapanos, I, Jaweesh, M, Yarker, D R, Sage, R C, Marsili, A, and Powers, E M. 2020.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/qjegh2019-175\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evidence of layered piezometry system within the Chalk aquifer in parts of south-east England<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology<\/em>, Vol. 54. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/qjegh2019-175<\/p>\n<p>MacDonald, A M, Brewerton, L J, and Allen, D J. 1998.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/GSL.SP.1998.130.01.09\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evidence for rapid groundwater flow and karst-type behaviour in the Chalk of southern England<\/a>. 95\u2013106 In\u00a0<em>Groundwater Pollution, Aquifer Recharge and Vulnerability<\/em>. Robins, N S (editor). <em>Geological Society Special Publications<\/em>, Vol. 130. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/GSL.SP.1998.130.01.09<\/p>\n<p>Massei, N, Wang, H Q, Dupont, J P, Rodet, J, and Laignel, B. 2003.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0022-1694(03)00020-9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Assessment of direct transfer and resuspension of particles during turbid floods at a karstic spring<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Journal of Hydrology<\/em>, Vol. 275(1\u20132), 109\u2013121. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0022-1694(03)00020-9<\/p>\n<p>Massei, N, Lacroix, M, Wang, H Q, Mahler, B J, and Dupont, J P. 2002.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0022-1694(01)00608-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Transport of suspended solids from a karstic to an alluvial aquifer: the role of the karst\/alluvium interface<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Journal of Hydrology<\/em>, Vol. 260, 88\u2013101. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0022-1694(01)00608-4<\/p>\n<p>Maurice, L, Farrant, A R, Mathewson, E, and Atkinson T. 2021.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-267\">Karst hydrogeology of the Chalk and implications for groundwater protection<\/a>. In\u00a0<em>The Chalk Aquifers of Northern Europe<\/em>. Farrell, R P, Massei, N, Foley, A E, Howlett, P R, and West, L J (editors).\u00a0<em>Geological Society of London Special Publications<\/em>, Vol. 517. 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DOI: http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1007\/s11356-021-14840-3<\/p>\n<p>Pochon, A, Tripet, J P, Kozel, R, Meylan, B, Sinreich, M, and Zwahlen, F. 2008.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-008-0323-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Groundwater protection in fractured media: a vulnerability-based approach for delineating protection zones in Switzerland<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Hydrogeology Journal<\/em>, Vol. 16(7), 1267. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-008-0323-0<\/p>\n<p>Ravbar, N, and Goldscheider, N. 2009. <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-008-0368-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comparative application of four methods of groundwater vulnerability mapping in a Slovene karst catchment<\/a>. <em>Hydrogeology Journal<\/em>, Vol. 17(3), 725\u2013733. DOI: http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-008-0368-0<\/p>\n<p>Ward, R S, Williams, A T, and Chadha, D.S. 1997. The use of groundwater tracers for assessment of protection zones around water supply boreholes \u2014 a case study. 369\u2013376 in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1201\/9781003078142\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Tracer Hydrology 97<\/em><\/a>. Kranjc, A (editor). (CRC Presss.)<\/p>\n<p>Worthington, S R H. 2009.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-009-0489-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Diagnostic hydrogeologic characteristics of a karst aquifer (Kentucky, USA)<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Hydrogeology Journal<\/em>, Vol. 17(7), 1665\u20131678. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10040-009-0489-0<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div  class=\"accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"acc-top secondary-background icon-arrow button no-btn\"><span class=\"button-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">Karst geomorphology<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-body sea-background-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Cooper, A H, Farrant, A R, and Price, S J. 2011.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.geomorph.2011.06.004\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">The use of karst geomorphology for planning, hazard avoidance and development in Great Britain<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Geomorphology<\/em>, Vol. 134(1\u20132), 118\u2013131. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.geomorph.2011.06.004<\/p>\n<p>Farrant, A, and Cooper, A. 2008.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/1470-9236\/07-201\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Karst geohazards in the UK : the use of digital data for hazard management<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology<\/em>, Vol. 41(3), 339&amp;ndsh;356. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/1470-9236\/07-201<\/p>\n<p>Gallois, R W. 2005.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/nora.nerc.ac.uk\/16504\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">The development and origin of karst in the Upper Greensand Formation (Cretaceous) of south-west England<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Geoscience in south-west England \u2014 Proceedings of the Ussher Society<\/em>, Vol. 11(1), 30\u201336.<\/p>\n<p>Gunn, J. 1981. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1127\/zfg\/25\/1981\/313\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hydrological processes in karst depressions<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Zeitchrift f\u00fcr Geomorphologie<\/em>, Vol. 25(3), 313\u2013331.<\/p>\n<p>Reeve, T. 2021. Caves in the Chalk: a personal perspective from 50 years of observations.\u00a0<em>Cave and Karst Science<\/em>, Vol. 48(2) 43\u201355.<\/p>\n<p>Sperling, C H B, Goudie, A S, Stoddart, D R, and Poole, G G. 1977.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/621858\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dolines of the Dorset chalklands and other areas in southern Britain<\/a>.\u00a0<em>Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers<\/em>, Vol. 2, 205\u2013223. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/621858<\/p>\n<p>White, W B. 1988. Geomorphology and Hydrology of Karst Terrains. (Oxford University Press.) ISBN: 9780195044447<\/p>\n<p>Williams, P. 2004. Dolines. 304\u2013310 in\u00a0<em>Encyclopaedia of Caves and Karst Science<\/em>. Gunn, J (editor). ISBN: 9781579583996<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More information<\/h2>\n\n\n<div  class=\"accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"acc-top secondary-background icon-arrow button no-btn\"><span class=\"button-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">Reference<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-body sea-background-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Maurice, L, Farrant, A R, Mathewson, E, and Atkinson T. 2021.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-267\">Karst hydrogeology of the Chalk and implications for groundwater protection<\/a>. 39\u201362 in <em>The Chalk Aquifers of Northern Europe<\/em>. Farrell, R P, Massei, N, Foley, A E, Howlett, P R, and West, L J (editors).\u00a0<em>Geological Society of London Special Publications<\/em>, Vol. 517. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1144\/SP517-2020-267<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"cta-section  sea-background-e \">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row md-row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2>Need more information?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"btn-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/people\/brauns-bentje\/\"  class=\"button primary-background   \">Contact Bentje Brauns<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t\t<section id=\"in-this-section-9538-block_46a8876cc7a51c606696845ba95e3ea5\" class=\"grid-section  sea-background-d   \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row header-of-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Find out more about our research<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row grid-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n\t<div class=\"cards-over-img cards  cards-find-more \">\n\t\t<a class=\"media-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features\/\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/chalk-stream-doline-thumb.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"chalk-stream-doline-thumb\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/chalk-stream-doline-thumb.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features\/\">Karst features<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The distinctive features of karst landscapes.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-features\/\"><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n\t<div class=\"cards-over-img cards  cards-find-more \">\n\t\t<a class=\"media-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-hydrogeology-of-the-bedhampton-and-havant-springs\/\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/solutionPipe-thumb.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"solutionPipe-thumb\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/solutionPipe-thumb.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-hydrogeology-of-the-bedhampton-and-havant-springs\/\">Karst hydrogeology of the Bedhampton and Havant springs<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of the best examples of Chalk karst springs in the UK.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-hydrogeology-of-the-bedhampton-and-havant-springs\/\"><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n\t<div class=\"cards-over-img cards  cards-find-more \">\n\t\t<a class=\"media-wrap\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-report-series\/\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/P775218-thumb.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"P775218-thumb\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/P775218-thumb.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-report-series\/\">Karst report series<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An overview of the evidence for karst in the Chalk and Jurassic and Permian limestones in different areas of England.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/water-resources\/groundwater-resources-in-england-and-wales\/karst-aquifers\/karst-report-series\/\"><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n\t<div class=\"cards-over-img cards  cards-find-more \">\n\t\t<a class=\"media-wrap\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/what-causes-sinkholes-and-where-do-they-occur-in-the-uk\/\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/P913657-thumb.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"P913657-thumb\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/P913657-thumb.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<h2>\n\t\t\t\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/what-causes-sinkholes-and-where-do-they-occur-in-the-uk\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat causes sinkholes?\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<p><p>Explore the different types of sinkhole encountered in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-6 col-lg-4\">\n\t<div class=\"cards-over-img cards  cards-find-more \">\n\t\t<a class=\"media-wrap\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/P703480-thumb.webp\" class=\"lazy-blur\" alt=\"P703480-thumb\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/11\/P703480-thumb.webp\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<h2>\n\t\t\t\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\tSinkholes research\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<p><p>Our research extends beyond the distribution and processes associated with sinkhole formation to the broader subject of karst.<\/p>\n<\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aquifers formed in the Chalk Group and the Jurassic and Permian limestones of England.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7662,"parent":49,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6691","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Karst aquifers - BGS Groundwater<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Groundwater provides approximately a third of public water supply in 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