A karst of thousands: Jamaica's limestone scenery

About two-thirds of the surface-rock outcrop of Jamaica consists of Cretaceous and Cenozoic, particularly mid-Tertiary, limestones. The island has been subaerially exposed for less than 10 million years. During this time, a combination of high tropical temperatures and high seasonal rainfall, coupled with widespread jointing and faulting related to the island's position within the North Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone, has led to the development of an impressive karst topography over much of Jamaica.