Global warming causes sinkhole collapse – Case study in Florida, USA

Abstract. The occurrence frequency and intensity of many natural geohazards, such as landslides, debris flows and earthquakes, have increased in response to global warming. However, the effects of such on development and spread of sinkholes has been largely overlooked. Most research shows that water pumping and related drawdown is the most important factor in sinkhole development, but in this paper evidence is presented which highlights the role played by global warming in causing sinkholes. The state of Florida, USA is used as a case study in which the role of global warming is evident, based on correlation analysis between sinkhole collapse and peak drought periods. Three distinct drought and sinkhole collapse phases are evident between 1965 and 2006, along with eight peak periods of sinkhole collapse that lag slightly behind eight peak drought periods. A prediction equation is derived according to curve fitting and a correlation coefficient of 0.999 is determined. The results of this study confirm that global warming related to climate change has led to an increase in sinkhole collapse events in Florida over the past 50 years, which is of significance for studying the occurrence and prediction of other sinkhole collapse events and global warming on an international scale.