A sinking state: A look at Fla.'s sinkhole history

A retrospective of the massive sinkholes that have appeared in Fla., following the recent disappearance of a man when he fell through a sinkhole in his home

March 01, 2013 10:12 AM

Associated Press

A man has disappeared after being swallowed up by a large sinkhole that opened under his bedroom in Seffner, Fla. The state is especially prone to sinkholes because underneath the ground is limestone, a porous rock that easily dissolves in water, sometimes forming a hole in the earth.

Here’s a look at other sinkholes in Florida.

Susie Roberts is seen in this 2004 photo assessing the sinkhold progress in front of her home.
AP Photo/Tracy Wilcox

In this 2004 photo, a man looks down a sinkhole that opened up during
Hurricane Jeanne. AP Photo/Lee Ferinden)

This 106 ft. wide and 185 ft. deep sink hole in 1994 released 20.8 million pounds of liquid
phosphoric acid. AP Photo/Selbypic

This 1981 photo shows the aerial photo of workers trying to retrieve sunken sports cars.
AP Photo

Workers examine an expanding sinkhole in this May 2000 photo. AP Photo/Dale Wilson