Note : Please enter location of home or building. Once submitted an automated report with
mapping of all known addresses from the Florida Geological Survey will
be shown. Reports can be printed.
|
Sinkholes are closed depressions in areas underlain by soluble rock such as limestone,
dolostone,gypsum, or salt. Sinkholes form when surface sediments subside into underground
voids created by the dissolving action of groundwater in the underlying bedrock.
Other subterranean events can cause holes, depressions or subsidence of the land
surface that may mimic sinkhole activity. These include subsurface expansive clay
or organic layers which compress as water is removed, collapsed or broken sewer
and drain pipes or broken septic tanks, improperly compacted soil after excavation
work, and even buried trash, logs and other debris.
Commonly, a reported depression
is not verified by a licensed professional geologist to be a true sinkhole, and
the cause of subsidence is not known. Such an event is called a subsidence incident.
The Florida Geological Survey maintains and provides a downloadable database of
reported subsidence incidents statewide. While this data may include some true sinkholes,
the majority of the incidents have not been field-checked and the cause of subsidence
is not verified
|