Which type of terrain is predominantly affected by the formation of sinkholes?

The formation of sinkholes is predominantly associated with karst areas due to the unique geological characteristics of this terrain. Karst landscapes are formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, gypsum, and salt, by water. This process leads to the development of features like caves, underground rivers, and, importantly, sinkholes.

Sinkholes occur when the supporting ground material collapses into an underground void created by this dissolution process. As rainwater, often slightly acidic due to its interaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide, seeps into the ground, it dissolves the rock over time and can create cavities. When these cavities grow large enough and cannot support the weight of the soil or surface material above, a sinkhole forms.

In contrast, mountainous regions may experience different types of erosion and landscape changes, while desert landscapes typically lack the conditions necessary for the dissolution processes that lead to sinkholes. Floodplains are influenced by river dynamics and sediment deposition, rather than the geological processes found in karst topography. Thus, karst areas are distinctly linked to sinkhole formation due to their geological composition and processes.