Central Kentucky’s karst landscape is unique, with areas like Shelby County facing special challenges. This region is rich in limestone, where water slowly dissolves the rock, creating underground spaces. Sinkholes form through three main ways: solution (chemical weathering), collapse (sudden roof failure), and subsidence (soil settling over time). Modern mapping tools give us important insights […]
Central Kentucky’s landscape has a hidden story beneath its surface. Spencer County is part of the state’s karst topography. This area is shaped by dissolving limestone, creating underground systems and making the ground prone to sinkholes. The Kentucky Geological Survey says Spencer County has moderate karst activity. This means the rock layers and acidic groundwater […]
Russell County’s landscape is shaped by karst geology. This terrain is made of soluble bedrock like limestone. Over time, groundwater dissolves these rocks, creating underground voids that collapse into sinkholes. This makes areas like Russell County, KY, prone to sudden ground depressions. Two main factors drive sinkhole development here. First, the region’s limestone bedrock dissolves […]
Eastern Kentucky’s geology is perfect for sinkholes. Over 60% of the state is on soluble limestone, known as karst terrain. This makes the ground weak because water can easily move underground. The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) says karst systems are common everywhere. Their maps show many areas in Morgan County and nearby are at risk. […]
Kentucky’s karst terrain brings unique challenges to its landscape. In Ohio County, limestone and dolomite bedrock form the foundation. Over time, water erosion shapes this area, creating voids that collapse into sinkholes. Transportation routes like KY 919 face high risks due to this unstable geology. Historical records show repeated subsidence events along these routes. Between […]
A recent roadbed collapse near Slade Hill has caught the attention of eastern Kentucky. State geologists say the instability comes from limestone formations under the surface. This is common in areas where sinkholes often form. This area is different from places like Bowling Green, where a 2014 Corvette Museum collapse happened. Here, sandstone and soluble […]
Central Kentucky’s landscape hides secrets beneath its surface. The area’s karst topography is shaped by soluble bedrock like limestone. This makes it naturally vulnerable. Over 200 sinkholes have been found here, as geological surveys show. Limestone bedrock is common under the ground, with calcium carbonate levels over 85% in many spots. This lets groundwater dissolve […]
Central Kentucky’s karst landscapes create unique features, like Scott County. This area is in the Inner Bluegrass, where limestone bedrock is perfect for sinkholes. The Kentucky Geological Survey’s karst landscape maps show 471 depressions here. These reflect centuries of water erosion dissolving rock layers underground. Most sinkholes form slowly through dissolution processes. Acidic rainwater slowly […]
Eastern Kentucky’s karst landscapes face unique challenges, mainly in Rowan County. This area is built on soluble limestone, typical of the Cumberland Plateau. Water slowly breaks down the rock, creating underground spaces. When the surface collapses into these spaces, sinkholes form. The Kentucky Geological Survey says Rowan County has more sinkholes than other areas. GIS […]