Karren
karren
[kar·ən]Karren
(lapies), furrows (from several cm to 1–2 m and more in depth) characteristic for areas where denuded karst has developed. The karren lie in parallel rows or as branching labyrinths and are usually separated by narrow sharp-pointed crests. Karren occur as a result of the leaching of the surface of limestones and other soluble rock by rain, thawing snow, and more rarely sea and river water. Frequently the karren develop along cracks (crack karren). On steep rocky surfaces the karren are not related to cracks (fluted or wall karren). Often the karren occupy large areas, forming karren fields (karrenfeld).