Caves and Sinkholes in Florida

Abstract

Types of sinkholes in Florida include (1) solution sinkholes formed by dissolution of shallow limestone; (2) suffosion sinkholes where non-cohesive sediments ravel directly into limestone voids; (3) rock-collapse sinkholes formed by collapse of cave roofs; (4) cenote, deep water-filled rock-collapse sinkholes; (5) cover-collapse sinkholes formed by the rapid failure of sand and clay over a limestone void; (6) cover-subsidence sinkholes formed by slow dissolution of the upper surface of a carbonate-rich sediment; and (7) alluvial, or relict, sinkholes.