Florida Sinkholes Case Study

Just like Shenandoah the Iapetus ocean started to open separating land masses Laurentia and Gondwana as Florida’s basement rock comes from the Gondwana region. Within the Neoproterozoic there is granitoids and igneous rocks that are found in central and northeastern part of Florida as evidence of Florida being part of Gondwana(M.C. Smith, written communication, 2017). In Figure 2, Findings of minerals such as schists and quartz

Hurricane Hermine caused many floods in Manatee County, and prevented multiple vehicles from basic commute. However, on Sep 2nd three Braden River students decided to help a woman's stuck vehicle out of the flooding water.

The everglades is a portion of a large watershed that runs in the locale of Orlando. The restoration of the everglades has been an ongoing program to remedy the damage done on the environment during the 20th century in southern Florida. It is the most comprehensive and costly attempt to repair environment in history. The degradation of the everglades watershed became an issue in the US in 1770s after the construction of a jetport in the big cypress swamp was proposed. The studies that followed showed that the port would destroy the ecosystem in everglades national park and south Florida (Ogden 803). After a long time of destructive practices, the federal and state agencies have been looking for ways to create an equilibrium of the ecosystem

Florida has always been a beautiful state aligned with unique natural wonders which has made it a location of wonder within the U.S. Even with Florida’s majestic natural appeal the state in its territorial years struggled with its public image as Indian attacks were common place in the region along with yellow fever and environmental phenomena such as hurricanes. Following in the end of the Seminole and the Civil war Florida began to search for a new identity and sense of prosperity in the face of massive changes to its economy and societal structure. With the advent of new technologies, the borders of Florida for the first time were opened to larger encompassing audience of visitors from all over the country who came to marvel at the natural landscape and relax in the temperate weather. Gary Mormino author of “Land of Sunshine State of Dreams” described in his book the factors and obstacles which challenged and ultimately propelled Florida to experience monumental growth in the 20th century. From the rapid use of automobiles to the creation of the magic Kingdom Florida has numerous factors to acknowledge when recognizing its recent success in America. While Gary Mormino book makes no effort to shy away from the less favorable aspects Florida history including the financial struggles of the early nineties, his book is clearly portraying an optimistic tone which echoes the glories of Florida’s past and future.

The changes in the Everglades’ hydrologic systems have greatly impacted Florida and its environment. Systems have been put into place and adapted in order to best fit the muggy and wet climate of South Florida as well as efficiently clean and revitalize our water quality. Due to the changes that humans have made to the Everglades and our water systems, our surrounding natural habitats and its flora and fauna have been greatly impacted.

The everglades is a place where nature is free in it’s paradise, besides the fact that there are hundreds of issues. The Everglades is home to many types of wildlife, and also provides for humans. The water supply has dramatically affected everyone, and everything, not all of it good. Water issues have affected the Everglades, and Florida by decreasing wildlife, droughts, and money issues.

Over a time period of many years, the Florida Everglades have been harmed.This is due not only to the fact that the Everglades were almost entirely drained, but also the fact that extremely hazardous chemicals are being put into the Everglades. However many organizations are helping the Everglades get their water quality and pollution under control.

Florida is Spanish for “Land of the Flowers”. This state is bordered by the Gulf Of Mexico, Alabama, Georgia, and the Atlantic Ocean. Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States. The climate varies from subtropical in the north and tropical in the south. The coastline is approximately 1,350 miles long. Due to Florida’s location along the coast, it is a main target for severe tropical storms. Homeowners insurance rates are expensive in Florida. This is because the state has been hit the most by hurricanes and tropical storms than any other state in the US. Florida is also a victim of tornadoes. The state average for a home policy is an estimated $1,952.

As it thrashes its body from side to side, it creates a small hole filled with water. Plant matter and mud piled up around the edges of the hole create dry ground on which other plants eventually grow. After many years, grass, trees, and other plants surround these "gator holes" like fences. Gator holes are important to other species as well. As the water becomes scarce during the dry season, many animals search for food and remaining pockets of water. The gator holes attract crayfish, frogs, turtles, fish, and other aquatic species, all seeking refuge in the deeper waters of the gator holes. Muskrats, otters, deer, and raccoons, as well as a wide variety of beautiful birds, such as ibises, egrets, and herons, visit these sanctuaries to feed on the small animals that can be found there. Because alligators and the watery hollows they make play such an important role in the Everglades ecosystem, they are considered to be a keystone species since many other species depend upon them for their survival. This has earned them the nickname "keepers of the glades."

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida destructing thousands upon thousands of homes, killing people, leaving south Florida completely destroyed. The aftermath of Hurricane Andrew took roughly two weeks until people started

One hundred years ago the Everglades covered close to 4 million acres between Lake Okeechobee and the Gulf of Mexico. Billions of gallons of water flowed into the Everglades. The population of the East coast of Florida was 23,000. This was partially due to a lack of suitable land for housing because of periodic flooding and the threat of hurricanes. When Florida was first becoming settled there were many attempts by settlers to make the area more hospitable. Most of these attempts failed. It was after two devastating hurricanes (1926 and 1928) that the Federal government had the US Army Corps of Engineers create a system of canals, levies, and dikes to further development of that area. They diverted much of the normal southward flow of water eastward. This allowed 1.3 million acres to be developed. It also left 2 million acres for the Everglades National Park and water conservation areas. 1 million acres was left for agricultural use (Everglades Agricultural

Nearly as large as the state of New Jersey, the Everglades used to measure about 6,000 square miles (Bucks, 1998). The Everglades was a complex wetland consisting of a mosaic of ecosystems. The heart of the Everglades was a slow moving body of water with a span of one hundred twenty miles long and forty miles wide with an average depth of six inches to two feet of water (Lauber,1973). This broad shallow, often called the "river of grass," was covered in a blanket of saw grass (not actually a grass but a sedge) that slowly drained the water from its main source, Lake Okeechobee, all the way to the southernmost tip of the state and into the Florida Bay. Shaped much like a saucer, when full Lake Okeechobee would send its overflow spilling into the shallows of the Everglades river. This natural filling process, along with the wet season's rains, is what fed the flow of the Everglades and the underlying aquifers for centuries.

Groundwater is the largest and most available usable source of drinking water in the state. There is a vast and mysterious system of caves and natural springs in North Central Florida. The cave system within the aquifer is one of the most amazing parts. The caves are remarkable in many ways. They are among the deepest and longest in the world, let alone the U.S. Another amazing aspect of the system is the purity of the water. The springs collectively produce billions of gallons of crystal clear water per day. The whole system stems from the Florida Aquifer that rests under the entire state. When most people think of Florida, they think of the weather and the beaches, but its the springs and the whole water

A spring is a point where underground water emerges onto the Earth’s surface (Scott et al, 2004, p. 354). Florida springs are an important resource throughout the state: recreation, agricultural, public supply, and so forth. Indeed, many Florida springs have historical prominence in their respective regions. Florida’s karst topography is truly unique; the state’s bedrock is composed of limestone (and some dolostone), which formed over eons and is the remains of deceased sea creatures. This limestone is very susceptible to dissolution, and over time water has seeped through the bedrock to form underground aquifers. When parts of these aquifers reach the surface, a spring is formed. Anthropogenic activities can influence the health of Florida’s springs. For example, stormwater runoff can carry many harmful chemicals to springs. Florida’s springs are connected to the Floridan aquifer -- the underground drinking water source for much of the state’s residents. The importance of Florida’s springs goes beyond environmental processes. To further the scientific pool of knowledge, enhance public understanding, and clarify current gaps in the current state of knowledge related to Florida springs, it is important to analyze existing data; this paper aims to contribute to all of

My parents have a condo down in florida that we visit yearly, when hurricane Irma hit the community was flooded, 165 trees came down. The golf course was tore up pretty bad, resulting in it being shut down for a few weeks for maintenance.