River Sink Earth Cache EarthCache
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This is the location where the Chipola river sinks into the earth.
The Chipola River sinks to about 90 feet below the surface to
reappear about just over 1/4 mile away. This created a natural
bridge that was used for many years by settlers in this area.
Sinkholes are a common feature of Florida's landscape. They are
only one of many kinds of karst landforms, which include caves,
disappearing streams, springs, and underground drainage systems,
all of which occur in Florida. Karst is a generic term which refers
to the characteristic terrain produced by erosional processes
associated with the chemical weathering and dissolution of
limestone or dolomite, the two most common carbonate rocks in
Florida. Dissolution of carbonate rocks begins when they are
exposed to acidic water. Most rainwater is slightly acidic and
usually becomes more acidic as it moves through decaying plant
debris. Limestones in Florida are porous, allowing the acidic water
to percolate through their strata, dissolving some limestone and
carrying it away in solution. Over eons of time, this persistent
erosional process has created extensive underground voids and
drainage systems in much of the carbonate rocks throughout the
state. Collapse of overlying sediments into the underground
cavities produces sinkholes. When groundwater discharges from an
underground drainage system, it is a spring, such as that at the
area called the “Blue Hole”. Sinkholes can occur in the beds of
streams, sometimes taking all of the stream's flow, creating a
disappearing stream. Dry caves are parts of karst drainage systems
that are above the water table, such as Marianna Caverns. Suggested
reading: Lane, Ed, 1986, Karst in Florida: Florida Geological
Survey Special Publication 29, 100 p.
The preceding information is copied in part from, (and slighlty
modified)...
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/sinkhole.htm
The river is also believed to have an underground channel rising
into the area known as "The Blue hole" (N30 49.180 W085 14.712)
Visit this location. There is a Board Walk over the spring
area.
Many divers enjoy exploring this area.
Using your GPSr determine the length of this channel as it runs
underground.
Begin as near the sign at the sink as possible and end on the
boardwalk over the spring.
At the site of the original coordinates is a sign that explains the
manmade canal that exists leaving from the sink area, cutting
across this natural bridge.
For extra credit (for fun), explain... When and Why this canal was
made.
Please email answers to (riversinkearthcache@gmail.com), and post a
picture of you and your GPSr at the location of the sign with the
sink in the back ground.
THE FOLLOWING IS COPIED FROM .... Fl Parks website... Park Fees
Park Entrance--$4.00 per vehicle. Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Extra
passengers, Passengers in a vehicles with holder of Annual
Individual Entrance Permit - Admission Fee $1.00. Cave Tour Fees:
Age 13 and up $8.00, Age 3 to 12 $5.00, Age 2 and under free.
Organized groups of 25 or more with prepaid reservations will be
$4.00 per person (Please read group reservation restrictions on the
Park Activities page for full information). Campsite Fees $17.00
plus tax. Florida Caverns State Park 3345 Caverns Road Marianna,
Florida 32446 Hours of Operation 8:00 AM to sunset Driving
Directions Florida Caverns State Park is located 3 Miles North of
Marianna, Off of U.S. 90 on S.R. 166. From Tallahassee: Take I-10
west to exit 142, turn right on Hwy 71 N to Hwy 90, turn left.
Follow brown park signs. From Pensacola: Take I-10 East to exit
136, turn left on Hwy 276 N to Hwy 90, turn right. Follow brown
park signs.
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