Karstphänomene in den bolivianischen Anden

Abstract. We studied karst forms in the Bolivian Highland. There are clints (or lapies, karrens, see photos 1, 2 and 3), dolines (photos 4, 5 and 8), caverns and karst Springs (photo 7), but no poljes and conical karst. They can be formed in spite of extreme climatic conditions, namely low temperatures in altitudes of up to 4600 m and sometimes only four humid months. In respect to the petrography we note a relatively wide ränge: limestone, calcareous sandstone, dolomite and especially gypsum (photo 6) are intensely affected by corrosion. All the dolines and clints found in the Andes are mainly postglacial, but were preformed in the Pleistocene.