岩溶作用是水对可溶性岩石（碳酸盐岩、硫酸盐岩、卤化物岩等）进行的以化学作用（溶解与沉淀）为主要特征，并伴随有机械作用（流水侵蚀和沉积，重力崩塌和堆积）的地质作用，又称喀斯特作用。Karstification refers to the geological process mainly characterized by chemical action (dissolution and sedimentation) of water on soluble rocks (carbonate rocks, sulphate rocks, halide rocks, etc.), along with mechanical actions (runoff erosion and sedimentation, gravitational collapse and accumulation).