Check Out Why We Get Sinkholes

What causes sinkholes to suddenly form, collapse and destroy human lives and property?
Acids in underground water slowly dissolve the limestone bedrock underneath the surface of the ground, leaving a network of underground holes.

Above the pockmarked limestone are varying layers of sand, clay and soil. These layers are usually strong enough to support the structures and roads we build. If the holes are too close to the surface, or grow in size, the surface layers can suddenly collapse.

Even heavy rain can impact the top layers making them too heavy. When underground water sources are tapped due to drought or excessive use, the holes dry up and can often no longer support the weight of the layers above.

Florida is made up of what geologists call a landscape of karst topography, which means the surface landscape has been shaped by the soluable bedrock underneath, usually limestone, but can also be gypsum or dolomite. The incidents of sinkholes collapsing in Florida are quite common. Recently, a man's bedroom in Florida was sucked down into a sinkhole, taking his life and destroying the house.

Some types of sinkholes happen suddenly and without warning, but experts say there are some tell tales signs that a sink hole might be ready to collapse. Some indicators of sinkhole activity include cracks in the pavement or building foundation, doors or windows not closing properly, or a circular pattern of cracks in the ground surface.  The concern is that they seem to be happening with greater frequency. What is that telling us about the surface of the earth?