Tennessee’s karst geology makes it prone to ground collapses. The soluble bedrock, mainly limestone, dissolves with water. This creates underground cavities that collapse, forming sinkholes on the surface. Weakley County is unique in this geological setting. It has fewer sinkholes than eastern Tennessee. A 2001 study by Shofner found only three verified collapses, unlike hundreds […]
Tennessee’s karst landscapes create unique geological formations in the eastern United States. These areas, made of porous limestone, have been shaped by water over thousands of years. They are home to over 4,000 documented sinkholes statewide. Recent studies show that White County is a hotspot for sinkhole activity. This is due to underground erosion patterns […]
North Central Florida’s landscape has a hidden story beneath its surface. The area sits on porous limestone bedrock, formed over millennia. This karst terrain is perfect for rock dissolution, thanks to acidic rainwater and sandy soil. Studies show 63% of the area is at high risk for ground collapses. Most incidents happen in western and […]
East Tennessee’s karst terrain poses unique geological challenges. The limestone bedrock, dissolved by groundwater, forms a fragile foundation. This makes Union County prone to sudden collapses. Statewide surveys show high activity along Tennessee’s karst corridor. Anderson County has 625 sinkholes, with 239 over three meters deep. These numbers show shared risks in the area, but […]
Tennessee’s karst terrain is known for its unique geological formations. Van Buren County is a standout with 653 documented sinkholes. Among these, 228 are over 3 meters deep. This high number shows the sinkhole patterns along the Cumberland Plateau. The soluble bedrock erodes naturally, shaping the landscape. Recent studies found four sinkholes over 100 feet […]
Eastern Tennessee’s unique geology shapes its landscape through natural processes that remain active today. The region sits atop karst topography, a terrain formed by dissolving carbonate rocks like limestone. This geological phenomenon creates underground voids that sometimes collapse, forming surface depressions known as sinkholes. Recent studies of Early Pliocene sediment layers at the Gray Fossil […]
Middle Tennessee’s karst landscape poses unique challenges for communities like Wilson County. The area is rich in limestone, which dissolves over time. Recent studies show 1,876 depressions in Wilson County, showing its risk for ground collapses. Neighboring White and Robertson Counties have even more sinkholes. They have 2,970 and 3,602 sinkholes, showing the Cumberland Plateau’s […]
South-central Tennessee is known for its unique geology. The area sits on karst terrain. This is a landscape shaped by water dissolving limestone over time. This process creates underground cavities. Sometimes, these cavities collapse, making sinkholes on the surface. Wayne County has 21 known sinkholes. This is because it’s in the Appalachian Plateau’s carbonate rock […]
Tennessee’s karst terrain makes sinkholes a common sight. These happen when limestone bedrock dissolves. In places like Trousdale County, clay soils move over this rock. In 2023, LiDAR mapping found 87 sinkholes here. Twenty-two of them were over 10 feet wide. The deepest sinkhole is 65.6 feet deep. Acidic rainwater weakens the ground over time. […]