The formation of a 60 ft-wide sinkhole near Disney World in Central Florida has many residents wondering where sinkholes are most likely to happen in the state. Florida’s Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Geological Survey are working on a detailed map for sinkhole vulnerability.
It'll take three years to finish; the goal is to learn where people should live and how to build safer buildings.
Geologist Clint Kromhout of the Florida Geological Survey says sinkholes are found throughout the state, but there's a concentration where Monday’s hole opened up.
"The western peninsula and central areas of the state have over time shown to be more susceptible", said Kromhout. "That’s because the limestone is closer to the surface in that area."
Kromhout says the closer the limestone is to the surface, the more susceptible it is to being dissolved.
That's because the Florida Peninsula sits atop limestone rock, which slowly dissolves over time.
Geologists say cracks in a home’s foundation, windows and doors that stick, or crumbling stucco could be early signs your house is sinking.