How do sinkholes form? \6o%gpUkD
5(RFkZn4[
Rainfall percolating, or seeping, through the soil absorbs "SC }C
carbon dioxide and reacts with decaying vegetation, creating x"xl3dRu
a slightly acidic water. That water moves through spaces ~+w'b7T,=
and cracks underground, slowly dissolving limestone and xUl=N
creating a network of cavities and voids. As the limestone 4po zTe
dissolves, pores and cracks are enlarged and carry even SQ%B"1&$D
more acidic water. Sinkholes are formed when the land FG/". dU
surface above collapses or sinks into the cavities or when ..BIoSrj
surface material is carried downward into the voids. }jHS
Drought, along with resulting high groundwater withdrawals, "ee:Z_Sz
can make conditions favorable for sinkholes to form. Also, A|>~/OW=@
heavy rains after droughts often cause enough pressure qv\n]M_&
on the ground to create sinkholes. q6DuLFatc*
Sinkholes can be triggered by human activities such as: R-8>,
• Overwithdrawal of groundwater &Omo\Oq&W>
• Diverting surface water from a large area and \]RPxM:_>
concentrating it in a single point 7\x7ySM
• Artificially creating ponds of surface water iAD'MB
• Drilling new water wells ZlQ@k{Es~
50r3Kl0
In urban or suburban areas, sinkholes are hazardous ~ 8L]!OQ9=
because they can destroy highways and buildings. K8[vJ7(!|
Sinkholes also can cause water quality problems. During T
DOOq;+
a collapse, surface waters may leak into the aquifer, our Y,BzBUWK
underground source of drinking water.