Step 1: Understanding the Question:
1. This physical geography question asks us to identify the type of rock on which Karst topography primarily develops.
2. Karst topography is a distinct geographical landscape characterized by underground drainage, caves, sinkholes, and stalactite formations.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Firstly, Karst topography is a landscape formed by the chemical dissolution of soluble rocks.
2. The main geological material required for this process is calcium carbonate (\( CaCO_3 \)), which is the primary component of limestone and dolomite.
3. Secondly, let us understand the chemical process:
- Rainwater absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and soil forms a very weak acid called carbonic acid (\( H_2CO_3 \)).
- When this acidic water flows over and percolates through joints and cracks in limestone, it chemically reacts with the calcium carbonate.
- This reaction converts the insoluble calcium carbonate into highly soluble calcium bicarbonate, which dissolves into the water and is washed away.
- Over thousands of years, this continuous chemical weathering dissolves large areas of rock, leaving behind sinkholes, losing streams, caves, stalactites, stalagmites, and natural pillars.
4. Thirdly, let us analyze why other rocks do not form Karst topography:
- Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock composed of silicate minerals that do not dissolve easily in weak acids.
- Granite is an intrusive igneous rock composed of quartz and feldspar, which is highly resistant to chemical dissolution of this nature.
- Sandstone is a sedimentary rock made of silica grains; although it can experience some weathering, it does not dissolve chemically to create underground karst systems.
Step 3: Final Answer:
1. Karst topography develops mainly on Limestone.
2. This matches Option (A).