Karstification of Upper Permian limestones and dolostones in northeastern England: a review

Carbonate strata within the Upper Permian succession of northeastern England are locally karstified. All cave passages explored to date are either relict phreatic features or tectonic cavities, and all are of limited length and depth. No active conduits have been identified or entered. Generally, the caves are accessed through natural (sub)vertical sections exposing the carbonate beds or via man-made excavations. Evidence of ongoing active karstification is, however, recognized, so future karstological investigations of these carbonate outcrops might discover more diversity than that indicated by the known relict caves.