Sinkholes, also known as cenote, doline, swallet, swallow hole, shake hole and sink, is a natural hole or depression in the surface topography of the Earth brought about by the waters erosion of the bedrock and soil. The size in depth and diameter of sinkholes may vary from less than a meter to hundreds of meters. Sinkhole occurrences are frequent in areas where the rocks underneath the land surface are composed of salt beds, carbonate rock, or limestone that can be naturally softened by the groundwater passing through them. Alarmingly, when the land above is not anymore capable to support the spaces caused by the dissolved rocks, the area will unexpectedly collapse, destroying any man-made and natural structures directly above the area. In the United States, particularly in the central part of the Florida State, sinkhole occurrences and their consequences are not an unusual phenomenon.
Mechanism Causing Sinkhole
As earlier stated, sinkhole occurrences are frequent in areas where the rock underneath the land surface are composed of salt beds, carbonate rock, or limestone. However, sinkholes can likewise occur in landscapes that have no or little surface drainage. Because of the retention of ponds from heavy rains, sinkholes are eventually developed in these landscapes (Sinkhole). In addition, human activities can sometimes trigger the formation of sinkholes. These activities include abandonment of mines that eventually collapse, sewer collapses and water main breakages when old pipeline gives in, as well as over extraction and over pumping of subsurface fluids and groundwater. Likewise, sinkholes may form when the patterns of natural water-drainage are altered and new water-diversion structures are created. In view of the different types and causes of sinkholes, the mechanisms of their formations may, therefore, either include the decreasing of the water table the crumbling of a cave roof and the continuing erosion of limestone, or other slightly soluble bedrock, by the penetrating water (Sinkhole).
There are primarily three different types of sinkholes in Florida the subsidence sinkholes, solution sinkholes, and collapse sinkholes. The mechanisms of these sinkholes are likewise different. Collapse sinkholes in Florida are normally commenced by the water-table fluctuations (Buying Florida Sinkhole Homes). As the water levels fluctuate, the surface opening is damaged and stressed, and when the water-table excessively decreases, the hollow walls become unsupported and weak, thus eventually causing the sinkhole occurrence. Solution sinkholes, on the other hand, are initiated when clay or mud on the ground surface is absent or thin (Buying Florida Sinkhole Homes). When this happens, the limestone bedrock may be eroded from wind and water. Eventually, as the surface rocks are eroded and broken down, a depression will naturally form, causing the sinkholes. Finally, subsidence sinkholes are initiated when clay or mud on the surface is considerably thin and only a layer of deposits is present on top of the limestone. Overtime, a concave depression will then appear in the ground due to the sliding of the soil into the cavity. Because of the restricted water flow caused by the depression, water is accumulated and a lake is then formed.
Impact of the Sinkhole on People and on their Activities
In Florida, sinkholes have destroyed a number of buildings, roadways, and swimming pools (Sinkholes). These jarring scenes act as a harsh reminder for the residents of the state that sinkholes are a part of their everyday life. Unfortunately, sinkholes have even more increased the possibility of property damage within the Florida area due to the expected development and growth of the state. As a result, this alarmingly recurring phenomenon has made the lives and properties of all residents of Florida in constant exposure to danger, and the states economic development and activities somewhat confined.
Likewise, because of the prevalence of sinkholes in Florida, the states sinkhole law has been constantly amended. Therefore, the rights of the property owners have likewise been continually affected particularly the property insurance procedural mechanisms that now require even more strict regulations to the policyholders, and payment of higher premiums for expanded coverage (New Florida Law Covers Sinkholes). The payment of higher premium has produced an enormous negative consequence to homeowners seeing that many of them have dropped sinkhole coverage on renewal, leaving them in a terrible condition if their houses are eventually destroyed. Moreover, for many years sinkholes have been utilized as dumping locations for different types of wastes in Florida. Such practice has polluted the groundwater resources within the area, and has alarmingly affected the health of some of the residences.
Steps to Prepare for Recurrence of Sinkhole
Many natural sinkholes are unpreventable, thus it is important for the people in Florida, together with the government and non-government organizations, to be aware of the necessary steps to prepare in case of sinkhole recurrences. They must realize that the starting point of sinkhole in Florida is the presence of permeable limestone layer underneath the states topsoil. For that reason, geophysical surveys must be continually conducted by the government and private organizations to establish the probable weak zones so that any preexisting breaches or cavities can be avoided or plugged. Residents of Florida must likewise be aware of the warning signs of sinkholes as the final collapse can take place over a period of a few minutes.
These warning signs may include cracks in building foundations, windows and doors fail to properly close, gradual restricted ground settlement, etc. (What Is a Sinkhole). If any of these signs take place, then the affected person must immediately report, through phone or the Internet, to the Florida Geological Survey for proper investigation (Sinkhole Report Form). Currently, in order to prevent and manage sinkhole collapse, more than 20 gypsum stacks are placed by the government within the vulnerable areas of west-central Florida (Sinkholes, West-Central Florida 137). These gypsum stacks are lined at their foundations to obstruct the penetration of unnecessary groundwater as well as lessen the effects on the groundwater system.
Managing the Aftermath of Sinkhole Disaster
Sinkholes should never be used as or filled with trash deposits because they act as natural drainage spots for the groundwater system. Because anything buried underground can likely affect the groundwater, it is important to use only clean materials. In view of that, the filling must necessarily be concrete or other native earth materials. It is also important to add clayey soil on top of the filling to constitute a barricade that will assist in putting off the water from penetrating downward all the way through the gaps that could further expand them. Unfortunately, if this process is not followed, contaminants may enter the groundwater, and the problems associated with it will take place, posing a threat to the environment, and to the health and safety of all residents within the area.
Sinkhole is a natural hole or depression in the surface topography of the Earth that is brought about by the exclusion of bedrock and soil by water, which is a very common phenomenon in the karst regions of Florida. There are primarily three different types of sinkholes in Florida and the mechanisms of these sinkholes are likewise different. All the same, all these types have made the lives and properties of the residents of Florida in constant exposure to danger, and the states economic development and activities somewhat confined. It is, therefore, important for the people and government of Florida to be aware of the necessary steps to prepare in case of sinkhole recurrence, and how to manage the aftermath of sinkhole disasters to prevent further problems.
Mechanism Causing Sinkhole
As earlier stated, sinkhole occurrences are frequent in areas where the rock underneath the land surface are composed of salt beds, carbonate rock, or limestone. However, sinkholes can likewise occur in landscapes that have no or little surface drainage. Because of the retention of ponds from heavy rains, sinkholes are eventually developed in these landscapes (Sinkhole). In addition, human activities can sometimes trigger the formation of sinkholes. These activities include abandonment of mines that eventually collapse, sewer collapses and water main breakages when old pipeline gives in, as well as over extraction and over pumping of subsurface fluids and groundwater. Likewise, sinkholes may form when the patterns of natural water-drainage are altered and new water-diversion structures are created. In view of the different types and causes of sinkholes, the mechanisms of their formations may, therefore, either include the decreasing of the water table the crumbling of a cave roof and the continuing erosion of limestone, or other slightly soluble bedrock, by the penetrating water (Sinkhole).
There are primarily three different types of sinkholes in Florida the subsidence sinkholes, solution sinkholes, and collapse sinkholes. The mechanisms of these sinkholes are likewise different. Collapse sinkholes in Florida are normally commenced by the water-table fluctuations (Buying Florida Sinkhole Homes). As the water levels fluctuate, the surface opening is damaged and stressed, and when the water-table excessively decreases, the hollow walls become unsupported and weak, thus eventually causing the sinkhole occurrence. Solution sinkholes, on the other hand, are initiated when clay or mud on the ground surface is absent or thin (Buying Florida Sinkhole Homes). When this happens, the limestone bedrock may be eroded from wind and water. Eventually, as the surface rocks are eroded and broken down, a depression will naturally form, causing the sinkholes. Finally, subsidence sinkholes are initiated when clay or mud on the surface is considerably thin and only a layer of deposits is present on top of the limestone. Overtime, a concave depression will then appear in the ground due to the sliding of the soil into the cavity. Because of the restricted water flow caused by the depression, water is accumulated and a lake is then formed.
Impact of the Sinkhole on People and on their Activities
In Florida, sinkholes have destroyed a number of buildings, roadways, and swimming pools (Sinkholes). These jarring scenes act as a harsh reminder for the residents of the state that sinkholes are a part of their everyday life. Unfortunately, sinkholes have even more increased the possibility of property damage within the Florida area due to the expected development and growth of the state. As a result, this alarmingly recurring phenomenon has made the lives and properties of all residents of Florida in constant exposure to danger, and the states economic development and activities somewhat confined.
Likewise, because of the prevalence of sinkholes in Florida, the states sinkhole law has been constantly amended. Therefore, the rights of the property owners have likewise been continually affected particularly the property insurance procedural mechanisms that now require even more strict regulations to the policyholders, and payment of higher premiums for expanded coverage (New Florida Law Covers Sinkholes). The payment of higher premium has produced an enormous negative consequence to homeowners seeing that many of them have dropped sinkhole coverage on renewal, leaving them in a terrible condition if their houses are eventually destroyed. Moreover, for many years sinkholes have been utilized as dumping locations for different types of wastes in Florida. Such practice has polluted the groundwater resources within the area, and has alarmingly affected the health of some of the residences.
Steps to Prepare for Recurrence of Sinkhole
Many natural sinkholes are unpreventable, thus it is important for the people in Florida, together with the government and non-government organizations, to be aware of the necessary steps to prepare in case of sinkhole recurrences. They must realize that the starting point of sinkhole in Florida is the presence of permeable limestone layer underneath the states topsoil. For that reason, geophysical surveys must be continually conducted by the government and private organizations to establish the probable weak zones so that any preexisting breaches or cavities can be avoided or plugged. Residents of Florida must likewise be aware of the warning signs of sinkholes as the final collapse can take place over a period of a few minutes.
These warning signs may include cracks in building foundations, windows and doors fail to properly close, gradual restricted ground settlement, etc. (What Is a Sinkhole). If any of these signs take place, then the affected person must immediately report, through phone or the Internet, to the Florida Geological Survey for proper investigation (Sinkhole Report Form). Currently, in order to prevent and manage sinkhole collapse, more than 20 gypsum stacks are placed by the government within the vulnerable areas of west-central Florida (Sinkholes, West-Central Florida 137). These gypsum stacks are lined at their foundations to obstruct the penetration of unnecessary groundwater as well as lessen the effects on the groundwater system.
Managing the Aftermath of Sinkhole Disaster
Sinkholes should never be used as or filled with trash deposits because they act as natural drainage spots for the groundwater system. Because anything buried underground can likely affect the groundwater, it is important to use only clean materials. In view of that, the filling must necessarily be concrete or other native earth materials. It is also important to add clayey soil on top of the filling to constitute a barricade that will assist in putting off the water from penetrating downward all the way through the gaps that could further expand them. Unfortunately, if this process is not followed, contaminants may enter the groundwater, and the problems associated with it will take place, posing a threat to the environment, and to the health and safety of all residents within the area.
Sinkhole is a natural hole or depression in the surface topography of the Earth that is brought about by the exclusion of bedrock and soil by water, which is a very common phenomenon in the karst regions of Florida. There are primarily three different types of sinkholes in Florida and the mechanisms of these sinkholes are likewise different. All the same, all these types have made the lives and properties of the residents of Florida in constant exposure to danger, and the states economic development and activities somewhat confined. It is, therefore, important for the people and government of Florida to be aware of the necessary steps to prepare in case of sinkhole recurrence, and how to manage the aftermath of sinkhole disasters to prevent further problems.
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