Endokarsts and cryptokarsts in Cretaceous coarse and higly porous chalk at the Belgian-Dutch border

Since 2003, the study of several quarries at the Belgian-Dutch border has made it possible to identify numerous karsts essentially developed in coarse chalk (calcarenites) of the Maastricht Formation (Upper Cretaceous). This lithology is highly porous and is often considered unfavorable to karstification. However, caves, solution pipes, sponge networks, roof channel, pockets (alveoli) several meters in diameter developed inside without connection to fractures. These karsts belong to flooded karsts (caves and pockets) or to younger cryptokarsts (input karst type – thousands of solution pipes). When the endokarsts dewater, the high porosity of calcarenites inhibits closed caves from evolving. Tubular solution pipes are produced by the seepage water under fluvial terrace gravels and can exceed 30 m deep under the surface plateau. Sometimes, they encounter caves which are consequently filled and fossilized. By this process, they preserve caves from further collapsing inside a crumbly lithology.