South-central Kentucky has secrets hidden beneath its surface. The area’s karst geology is shaped by soluble limestone bedrock. This creates natural drainage systems through rock dissolution. Acidic groundwater slowly carves underground channels over centuries. This leaves surface depressions that define the terrain. Kentucky Geological Survey records show how water interacts with carbonate rocks. Rainfall absorbs […]
Central Kentucky’s unique geology makes it perfect for karst terrain. The area is built on Ordovician-era limestone formations, a rock that water can easily dissolve. Over time, this dissolves the rock, creating underground tunnels that sometimes collapse. A 2017 University of Kentucky study used LiDAR technology to find 2,307 sinkholes. They found most sinkholes near […]
Kentucky’s karst landscapes are among the most active in the U.S. The state is fifth in sinkhole susceptibility. In Washington County, limestone bedrock and underground water systems make sinkholes common. The Kentucky Geological Survey tracks over 14,000 cases statewide. The terrain in central KY is shaped by soluble rocks dissolving over time. Thin soil layers […]
Central Kentucky’s karst landscape is perfect for sinkholes. The limestone bedrock dissolves over time, creating underground cavities. These cavities collapse under stress, leading to sinkholes. In April 2025, 11 inches of rain fell in four days. This was nearly triple the monthly average. The stormwater systems failed, causing roadways to buckle. Local authorities found over […]
Southwestern Kentucky’s unique geology brings natural risks that need scientific study. 85% of the bedrock in this region is porous Mississippian-age limestone. This rock is key in creating karst terrain. Over time, groundwater dissolves these rocks, making underground cavities that collapse into sinkholes. This process is a big challenge for infrastructure and the environment in […]
Central Kentucky is known for its sinkholes, thanks to its unique geology. The Mississippian Plateaus area has a lot of karst terrain. This is because of the dissolving limestone bedrock. The northwestern parts of Taylor County have a lot of sinkholes. The height changes from Campbellsville (810 feet) to Spurlington (1,000 feet) show how unstable […]
Central Kentucky is known for its sinkholes. This is because of its karst landscape. Karst is made of soluble bedrock like limestone that dissolves over time. The Kentucky Geological Survey says 40% of the state has rock layers that can form karst features. The Western Pennyroyal region is one of the most active areas. Rainwater […]
South-central Kentucky is known for its sinkholes. Todd County is in the Western Pennyroyal karst region. This area has soluble limestone bedrock. It’s shaped by the Dripping Springs Escarpment, which divides the landscape. The area has over 600 sinkholes. Elevations range from 405 to 966 feet. Rainwater quickly goes through the bedrock, dissolving limestone. This […]
Geological instability shapes landscapes across America’s karst regions. Soluble bedrock creates unpredictable terrain. Over half of Kentucky’s landmass contains carbonate rock formations, according to state surveys. Tennessee’s central corridor holds concentrated areas of underground voids. These conditions drive surface collapses. Verified incidents have increased by 12%. Advanced mapping systems track subsidence patterns using LiDAR technology. […]