Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 17 - Give It Some Thought - Page 531: 7

Answer

The sinkhole in Winter Park, Florida, likely formed through the process of dissolution. In regions with limestone or other soluble bedrock, groundwater can dissolve the rock over time, creating voids and cavities beneath the surface. As the rock dissolves, the overlying soil and sediment lose support, and eventually, the surface collapses, forming a depression or sinkhole. In the case of the sinkhole in the photo, the collapse may have been triggered by heavy rainfall or an increase in groundwater levels, which further eroded the underlying limestone and led to the sudden collapse of the surface layer.

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