Far from being just a hole in the ground, a sinkhole is a very special type of phenomenon. Born of the interaction between water and rock, sinkholes appear anywhere rock dissolves easily. Some sinkholes happen gradually, the ground inside them slowly sinking over hundreds of years. Other sinkholes open up almost instantly. These are the ones you hear about in the news—the sinkholes that swallow houses and chew holes in highways.
Though sinkholes exhibit several different characteristics, all sinkholes provide a cool, damp environment that supports different plants and animals from those in the habitats surrounding them. From the crystal-clear springs of Florida to the oases of the Arabian Desert, sinkholes create their own unique natural communities. This book presents the full spectrum of sinkholes: Where do they happen? How do they happen? How do they affect us? While Florida seems to have more than its fair share of sinkholes, sinkholes happen worldwide—from valleys in the high Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the Adriatic Sea. Sinkholes are the basis for many strange and unusual landscapes, such as the gumdrop-shaped mountains of Jamaica and the towering, rounded mountains of Guilian, China. With many colorful photos, this book illustrates how sinkholes are an important part of our natural environment, though they’re often taken for granted.
Curious explorers will appreciate the suggested parks, preserves, and forests in which they can visit sinkholes, as well as a listing of additional resources for researching this fascinating geological phenomenon. An extensive glossary helps simplify the terms used throughout the book.
