How can changes in the water table dissolve a thick salt crust?

In the context of playa geology, the dissolution of thick salt crusts is primarily driven by fluctuations in the water table.1

When the water table rises, it can interact with the base of the salt crust. Because rock salt is highly soluble, the movement of groundwater facilitates the removal of brine, which is necessary for continued dissolution to occur. As the water table fluctuates, this process creates solution cavities within the crust, eventually leading to the formation of salt karst topography, characterized by features such as sinkholes and crevices. Additionally, the percolation of water downward through the crust toward the water table can contribute to the development of these shallow dissolution features.21