Development of sinkholes resulting from man's activities in the Eastern United States

Newton, John G.

doi:10.3133/cir968

Cited by 67 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This large, rapid decline in groundwater levels was the result of groundwater withdrawn for frost-freeze protection during January 2010 (Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2010). A large decline in groundwater levels near well fields and agricultural lands can remove the hydraulic support of overburden sediments lying above limestone cavities, resulting in sinkhole formation (Newton, 1986).…”

Section: S-44 Cypress and Starkey Central D S-68 Cypressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that influence the hydrologic recovery of wetlands in the Northern Tampa Bay area, Florida

Metz¹

2011

Scientific Investigations Report

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. AcknowledgmentsThe author acknowledges Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) employees Michael Hancock for his help with the study wetland selection and for his constructive technical discussions and review comments, Robert Peterson for his help in compiling groundwater withdrawal data for the Northern Tampa Bay well fields, and Vince Pelham and Robert Parker for performing geophysical logging tests for several study wells. Special recognition is given to former SWFWMD employee Ted Rochow for his long-term effort in documenting the history of wetlands in the Northern Tampa Bay area.The author also acknowledges Tampa Bay Water employees Warren Hogg and Jeff Geurink for their constructive technical review comments, and Patricia Fesmire and Chris Shea for their help with the study wetland selection. The author would like to thank Reynolds, Smith, and Hills employee Cynthia Wheeler for her assistance with initial logistics in the monitoring of the study area wetlands.Special recognition is given to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employees Terrie M. Lee and Amy Swancar for their valuable technical insight during this project, and Leel Knowles, James LaBaugh, and Arturo Torres for their constructive technical review comments. The author acknowledges the assistance of Nancy DeWitt and Billy J. Reynolds of the USGS St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center for the collection of vibracores at six of the study wetlands. The author also expresses gratitude for field support and data analysis provided by the USGS interns from the University of South Florida; Geoffrey Fouad, Robert Schroeder, William Pfeiffer, Scott Orr, Suzana Hernandez, and Gene Morell. Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).Elevation, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum. Acronyms and Additional AbbreviationsGIS geographic information system GPR ground-penetrating radar LIDAR Light Detection and Ranging NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NWI National Wetland Inventory SWFWMD Southwest Florida Water Management District USGS U.S. Geological Survey WAP Wetland Assessment Procedure < less than > greater thanThe increase in the potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer below the wetland was the primary factor influencing the h...

show abstract

Section: S-44 Cypress and Starkey Central D S-68 Cypressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that influence the hydrologic recovery of wetlands in the Northern Tampa Bay area, Florida

Metz¹

2011

Scientific Investigations Report

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…With reference to the Eastern United States, Newton (1987) reports that since 1950 there have been more than 6500 sinkholes induced by man. More specifically, Williams and Vineyard (1976) carried out an inventory of sinkholes and subsidence events occurred in Missouri, and concluded that half of the cases were induced by human activities, with alteration of the natural drainage (52% of the cases) as main action, and highway construction (6,5%) and blasting (4,3%) as the less common.…”

Section: Interrelations With the Anthropogenic Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sinkhole genesis and evolution in Apulia, and their interrelations with the anthropogenic environment

Rose

Federico

Parise

2004

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Sinkhole development occurs in many areas of the world where soluble rocks crop out. Sinkholes are generally the surface expression of the presence of caves and other groundwater flow conduits in carbonate rocks, which are solutionally enlarged secondary permeability features. Their formation may be either natural or caused by man's activities. In both cases, heavy consequences have to be registered on the anthropogenic environment and related infrastructures. Knowledge of the mechanism of formation of this subtle geohazard is therefore necessary to planners and decision makers for performing the most appropriate and suitable programs of land use and development.The Apulia region of southern Italy is characterized for most of its extension by carbonate rocks, which makes it one of the most remarkable example of karst in the Mediterranean Basin. Based on analysis of literature and in situ surveys, including caving explorations, we have identified in Apulia three main types of possible mechanisms for sinkhole formation: 1) collapse of a chamber in a natural cave or in man-made cavities; 2) slow and gradual enlargement of doline through dissolution; 3) settlement and internal erosion of filling deposits of pre-existing dolines. Since sinkhole formation very often affects directly the human settlements in Apulia, and have recently produced severe damage, some considerations are eventually presented as regards the interrelationships between sinkholes and the anthropogenic environment.

show abstract

“…Surface subsidence can develop within a matter of days when highly soluble rocks dissolve due to anthropogenic pressures (Martinez et al, 1998). The location of sinkhole collapse and speed of formation, rather than the diameter or depth, dictate the threat to human life and the potential for economic loss (Newton, 1987). To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that insurance claims relating to sinkholes, either natural or human-induced, in the United States totals $100 million annually.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, stress on and overuse of the Florida aquifer has led to several occurrences of emptied lakes, including Lake Jackson (1619 ha; 4,000 ac) and Lake Scott (115 ha; 285 ac) (Penson, 2002;McBride et al, 2011). Human-induced sinkholes often result from dewatering by wells, quarries, and mines in limestone environments (Newton, 1987;Fidelibus et al, 2011). The processes forming sinkholes can be enhanced by humaninduced change in the groundwater hydrologic regime by either inflows or outflows resulting from pumping activities (Benito et al, 1995;Martinez et al, 1998;Florea et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the late 1980s geologists began to report an increasing pace of human-induced sinkholes in the eastern United States, with particular focus on the changing landscapes in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida (MacIntyre, 1986;Newton, 1987). More recently, stress on and overuse of the Florida aquifer has led to several occurrences of emptied lakes, including Lake Jackson (1619 ha; 4,000 ac) and Lake Scott (115 ha; 285 ac) (Penson, 2002;McBride et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Sinkholes and a Disappearing Lake: Victory Lake Case Study

Jovanelly¹

2014

JCKS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human-induced sinkhole collapse can result in drastic changes to landscape aesthetics and present challenges to land managers seeking to determine the plausibility of restoration, the amount of financial investment needed, and the long-term sustainability of tampering with karstic environments. Alteration of groundwater flow in a karstic environment expedited the formation of large sinkholes in the southern end of man-made Victory Lake, causing it to drain immediately. Soon after the lake emptied in 1986, two unsuccessful attempts were made to restore the 13 ha (32 ac) lake. The sinkholes formed in the southern basin were completely in-filled, eliminating 3 ha (8 ac) of lake basin and significantly altering the original lake morphology. Some twenty-seven years later, Victory Lake is holding some water in the shallow basin at the northern end and would primarily be classified as a marshy wetland. This study was initiated to investigate the current relationship between the groundwater and surface water at the lake's altered basin to determine the potential for it to be restored fully or partially as a recreational focal point of the Berry College campus. Over the course of one year we measured the inputs (stream flow and precipitation) and outputs (evaporation and surface water outflow) of the lake system. We were able to conclude that groundwater is not likely contributing to the lake, based on inorganic and stable isotope ( 18 O and 2 H) water chemistry analysis and the deep position of the groundwater table relative to the lake bottom. From the results of dye-tracer tests conducted in the lake, we concluded that basin water may not be escaping downward at measurable rates because of its clay bottom. Our overall water-budget analysis confirms an adequate water volume entering by rainfall and ephemeral stream inflow; nearly 90% of the water leaves Victory Lake through surface-water outflow. Water loss through evapotranspiration during spring and summer months overcomes the gain accomplished during wetter and cooler months, particularly February. Through an investigation of water level records kept for campus monitoring wells from 1998 through 2012 we confirm that the groundwater table has stabilized and the immediate threat of new sinkhole formation is minimal. Restoration of Victory Lake to its original picturesque meeting spot may be possible through creative engineering strategies and project financing. However, we question the longevity of managing a karstic environment and consider the potential risks to infrastructure, groundwater, and human health should lake bottom failure occur again on campus.

show abstract

Development of sinkholes resulting from man's activities in the Eastern United States

Cited by 67 publications

References 3 publications

Factors that influence the hydrologic recovery of wetlands in the Northern Tampa Bay area, Florida

Factors that influence the hydrologic recovery of wetlands in the Northern Tampa Bay area, Florida

Sinkhole genesis and evolution in Apulia, and their interrelations with the anthropogenic environment

Sinkholes and a Disappearing Lake: Victory Lake Case Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About