Submitted by: Abraham Hong

A sinkhole can be a collapse or depression in the Earth s surface. It can also be unseen beneath the land surface. Frequently referred to as sinks , a sinkhole is prevalent in the central and northern counties of Southwest Florida. It could come in different sizes and depths. The state of Florida was shallow seas in ancient occasions. Due to the plants, animals, and water chemistry, limestone was deposited under Florida s ancient land. When the sea water subsided to its location now, the land that surfaced had limestone bedrock with clay and sand on leading of it.

Limestone deposits in Florida are thousands of feet in thickness and are present not only in Florida but in some portions from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Limestone was deposited in layers thus every layer features a slight distinction in thickness, hardness, and chemical composition. Because of the continuous movement from the Earth s processes, the limestone develops fractures and also the weak limestone layers eventually dissolve.

A lot from the dissolution of the limestone bedrock is brought on by acidic water. When the rain falls, it has carbon dioxide which produces a weak carbonic acid. When the rain water seeps through the soil, it becomes much more acidic because of its reaction with decaying and living plant matter. This acidic water dissolves the limestone slowly especially those with weak layers or fractures. Due to chemical erosion, cavities or voids eventually cause the limestone to subside or collapse. The resulting phenomenon is then known as a sinkhole.

Karst landforms compose much of Florida s land. A karst is a surface which is produced by the dissolution from the bedrock by water that is characterized by disappearing springs and streams, cavern systems, and sinkholes. Half of southern part of Southwest Florida has lesser rainwater which makes it much more stable than the other part. This is mainly due to the thick sediment formations within the district which confine groundwater. Land formations in such parts of Florida are made of limestone, clay, and sand.

A sinkhole can be formed due to the natural erosion of limestone by water. It is often triggered by a flood or heavy rains. The soil on top of the limestone cavity becomes too heavy and eventually causes its collapse. Droughts, however, lessen the levels of groundwater which decrease the buoyancy of the cavity roof thereby causing its collapse. Low water levels or droughts that are followed by heavy rains can hasten the development of a sinkhole. Sinkholes brought on by natural occurrences nonetheless occur in Florida. Sinkholes can also be caused by man. Drilling vibrations; gradual or sudden decline in levels of groundwater; heavy traffic; drainage patterns modifications; buildings; and retention ponds also contribute towards the development of sinkholes. Contemporary sinks frequently develop when the limestone bedrock is much less than 200 feet deep and human construction projects are in full swing. The southern component of Hillsborough County lack sinkholes because of deeper limestone deposits. Thick clay and sand confine the limestone in its present location.

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