The Karst Systems Of Florida

This book discusses the geology, hydrogeology, and water quality/geochemistry of karst systems in geologically young terrain, using the state of Florida as an example. Also discussed are sinkhole-development models; sinkhole risk; eogenetic karst features developed in rocks as young as 125,000 years and as old as 65 million years; and karst landscapes of Florida, including regional geology and geomorphology with important examples of karst features, such as springs, sinkholes, caves, and other karst landforms. The eogenetic karst of Florida is largely covered and this book extensively discusses the interactions of karst processes with sand- and clay-rich cover materials.

Given that the now-submerged caves reflect lower sea levels, the coastline was far from the caves when they formed. They organize according to a watertable datum at depths of 15 m, 30-40 m, 60-70 m, and >100 m with some correspondence to marine terrace and paleoshoreline features identified on the sea floor of the west Florida shelf using GIS and multibeam bathymetry. The multigenerational origin of these deeper caves masks the correspondence.

Engineers from around the world recount in this volume their successes and failures in attempting to deal with unique and quixotic landscapes.

Below the live oaks, palm trees, cypress swamps, and springs, water is slowly wearing away the limestone bedrock of Florida. The erosion is often unseen, and over time it can result in shocking cave-ins like the destructive spectacle of the 1981 Winter Park sinkhole. Florida Sinkholes--the first comprehensive book on the subject--is an easy-to-follow guide to understanding how sinkholes form and what to do about Florida's sometimes pockmarked landscape. City planners, construction managers, developers, and homeowners alike will find this book invaluable because of the heavy impact and increasing frequency of sinkhole formation in the state. Amateur geologists will be fascinated by the subtle forces of nature that can make solid rock disappear. Tackling the problem of sinkholes in useful detail, this book packs an abundance of sound scientific fact into frank, readable language. Learn about the captivating workings of karst, a term for the swiss cheese-like formations of soluble rock that underlie the peninsula. Discover current state-of-the-art approaches to mapping sinkholes and subsurface voids. Review such practical concerns as structural damage, repairs, insurance problems, and management of karst lands. Examine case studies of several notable sinkholes and sinkhole events. Even before you've finished reading, you may find yourself itching to get out and visit these intriguing marvels of Florida geology for yourself.

Karst Processes in Florida is a compiled effort to describe the state's Cenozoic history to provide a background framework of sea level fluctuations responsible for creating the environment for karst development. Geologic history is accompanied by discussions on Florida's geomorphology focusing on marine terraces and scarps before transitioning into karstic geomorphology related to sinkhole patterns. Karst hydrology and a discussion of the general hydrologic cycle are included.Karstic features in Florida are presented starting with an introduction to karstic processes before presenting examples of regional features occurring in the Panhandle, North, and South Peninsular Florida regions. The book then presents geological influences on sinkhole development including anthropogenic impacts.Sinkhole risk is presented following modeling results completed by the Florida Geological Survey as part of the state's hazard mitigation plan published in 2018. The plan included mitigation considerations and measures to address sinkhole loss. The book ends with sinkhole investigative protocols and methods used for site investigative characterization.