GEOLOGIC HAZARD OF FLORIDA, USA By: Dana Patricia Cruz &

Patrick Andrew Panizales

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 WHAT IS A GEOLOGIC HAZARD?
Geologic hazards are natural forces or conditions that exist or could possibly exist that
threaten your property or building.
They are a large-scale, complex natural events that happen on land. That can cause
immense damage, loss of property, and sometimes life.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 GEOLOGIC HAZARD
Common types of geologic hazards seen throughout Florida, according to the Florida
Geological Survey, include:

Karst terrain (sinkholes)

Coastal Erosion
Floods
Geochemical

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 SINKHOLES
The geologic hazard most commonly
threatening Florida buildings and
properties are sinkholes.
Sinkholes are part of Floridas natural
environment. Surface water flows
through sinkholes into the underlying
limestone layers of the Floridan
Aquifer System, the major source of
drinking water in Florida.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 SINKHOLES
There are three major types of sinkholes common to Florida.

Solution sinkholes
Cover-collapse sinkholes
Cover-subsidence sinkholes

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 SINKHOLES: SOLUTION SINKHOLES
Solution sinkholes form where soluble bedrock such as limestone, is exposed at the
land surface and subjected to weathering by dissolution. The surface water
collects in the natural depressions and slowly dissolves into a sinkhole.
Solution sinkholes are generally small in size and also slow to develop.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 SINKHOLES: COVER-COLLAPSE SINKHOLES
Cover-collapse sinkholes occur where a
solution cavity develops in the limestone
to a size such that the overlying cover
materials can no longer support its own
weight.

Cover-collapse sinkholes may develop

abruptly (over a period of hours) and
thus cause catastrophic damages. They
occur where the covering sediments
contain a significant amount of clay.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 SINKHOLES: COVER-SUBSIDENCE SINKHOLES
Cover-subsidence sinkholes tend to develop gradually where the covering
sediments are permeable and contain sand.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 SINKHOLES: NOTABLE EXAMPLS
Some of the largest sinkholes in the world
found in Florida are:

Devil's Millhopper
Kingsley Lake
Winter Park Sinkhole

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 COASTAL EROSION
Coastal erosion is a cause for concern
along many of Floridas beaches.
Coastal erosion has both natural causes
and causes related to human activities.
Gradual coastal erosion results naturally
from the very slow rise of sea-level.
Severe coastal erosion can occur over a
very short period of time when the state is
impacted by hurricanes, tropical storms
and other weather systems.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS
Floods are generally related to storms that produce large amounts of rain over short
periods of time, resulting in the accumulation of excessive amounts of water.
Flooding is related to an areas topography and surface water features including its
coastline.
Flooding occurs in all parts of Florida. Hurricanes are often accompanied by storm-
surge flooding and inland flooding due to extensive rains that are associated with the
storms.
While hurricanes are Floridas most obvious flood producers, it is important to realize
that heavy rains can cause flooding in Florida at any time of the year and at any
place.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE
The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane was the most intense hurricane to make landfall in the
United States on record. The second tropical cyclone, second hurricane, and second
major hurricane of the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season, the Labor Day Hurricane was
the first of three Category 5 hurricanes to strike the United States at that intensity
during the 20th century.
Three ships ran afoul of the storm.
Nearly every structure was demolished, and some bridges and railway embankments
were washed away. The linksrail, road, and ferry boatsthat chained the islands
together were broken. The main transportation route linking the Keys to mainland
Florida had been a single railroad line.
Craig Key, Long Key, and Upper Matecumbe and Lower Matecumbe Keys suffered the
worst.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE
After the third day of the storm corpses swelled and split open in the subtropical heat,
according to rescue workers. The National Weather Service estimated 408 deaths
from the hurricane.
The railroad was never rebuilt, but temporary bridges and ferry landings were under
construction as soon as materials arrived.
The Florida Emergency Relief Administration reported that as of November 19, 1935,
the total of dead stood at 423: 259 veterans and 164 civilians. These numbers are
reflected on the Veterans Storm Relief Map (which see). By March 1, 1936, 62
additional bodies had been recovered bringing the total to 485: 257 veterans and
228 civilians

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURRICANE ANDREW
Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the Bahamas and
Florida in mid-August 1992, the most destructive hurricane to ever hit the state. It was
the strongest in decades and the costliest hurricane to make landfall anywhere in the
United States until it was surpassed by Katrina in 2005.
Andrew caused major damage in the Bahamas and Louisiana, but the greatest impact
was felt in South Florida, with sustained wind speeds as high as 165 mph (270 km/h).
Overall, Andrew caused about $25.3 billion in damage in Florida, making it the
costliest hurricane to hit the state. Almost all of the damage in Florida was caused by
strong winds. Of the 44 deaths attributed to the storm, 15 were direct fatalities, while
29 were indirectly caused by the storm.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURRICANE ANDREW
The storm surge from Andrew caused more than $500 million in losses to boats and
buildings. At the height of the storm, more than 1.4 million people lost electricity and
another 150,000 were without telephone service.
It is estimated that throughout Florida, the storm damaged 101,241 homes and
destroyed approximately 63,000 others the vast majority in Dade County with
about 175,000 people rendered homeless.
In addition to homes, the storm damaged or destroyed 82,000 businesses, 32,900
acres of farmland, 31 public schools, 59 health facilities/hospitals, 9,500 traffic
signals, 3,300 mi (5,300 km) of power lines, and 3,000 watermains. Approximately 20
million cubic yards (15 million m) of debris left by the storm were disposed of.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURRICANE ANDREW

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURRICANE IRMA THE IMPACT
So far, Irma has been responsible for at least 50 deaths across the state. It is labelled
as a Category 4 hurricane.
In the Keys, the hurricane caused major damage to buildings, trailer parks, boats,
roads, the electricity supply, mobile phone coverage, internet access, sanitation, the
water supply and the fuel supply.
In Miami, storm surge inundated Brickell Avenue with waist-deep water, and two high-
rise tower cranes collapsed.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURRICANE IRMA THE IMPACT
As of 6:41 pm. EDT on September 10 over 2.6 million homes in Florida were without
power. Air traffic was reduced; at one point on September 10, there were no airliners
over Florida.
In the days after the hurricane, due to the heavy rainfall, numerous rivers had flooded
their surrounding land, including residential areas. A large concern from flooding is
contamination because people become exposed to dirty floodwaters and the
potential for contaminated water to get into the local water supply is significant.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURRICANE IRMA THE IMPACT

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 FLOODS: HURICANE IRMA THE AFTERMATH
FEMA's initial estimate indicated that 25% of buildings in the Keys were destroyed,
65% were significantly damaged, and 90% of houses sustained "some damage".
By September 12, almost 4.4 million homes and businesses in Florida were without
power, according to state officials. It is estimated that at least 50 people were killed
by the storm in Florida alone. Of those deaths, 9 fatalities at a Hollywood, Florida
nursing home, which lost air conditioning as a result of the hurricane.
The economic cost of the hurricane could reach as much as $300 billion, according to
insurance analysts.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 GEOCHEMICAL: RADON
Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced naturally in the environment.
Most of Florida is underlain by a rock unit, the Hawthorn Group, which contains
variable amounts of the mineral carbonate fluorapatite.
The radon gas itself is radioactive. It becomes a health risk when it is inhaled and
radioactive decay occurs while it is in the lungs.
Radon may pose a problem when it enters a home or building. Now that many homes
and buildings are well insulated and air-conditioned, radon may enter through
plumbing or cracks that develop in the slab or foundation and become trapped and
concentrated.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 GEOCHEMICAL: MERCURY
Mercury is a toxic element that probably has both anthropogenic (man made) sources
and natural sources in the Florida environment. It is of special concern to pregnant
women and young children.
Mercury also may be found in fluorescent lamps and other devices such as
thermometers and blood pressure monitors. When these items are no longer needed
special care must be taken to properly dispose of them or mercury may enter the air
and water of Floridas environment.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 GEOCHEMICAL: MERCURY
Mercury is a toxic element that probably has both anthropogenic (man made) sources
and natural sources in the Florida environment. It is of special concern to pregnant
women and young children.
Mercury also may be found in fluorescent lamps and other devices such as
thermometers and blood pressure monitors. When these items are no longer needed
special care must be taken to properly dispose of them or mercury may enter the air
and water of Floridas environment.

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 GEOCHEMICAL: ARSENIC
Arsenic is a toxic element that has mainly anthropogenic sources in Florida. Cattle-
dipping vats were used throughout Florida between 1906 and 1962 and held a
solution that contained arsenic. The cattle were dipped in order to eradicate the tick
that transmitted a disease called southern cattle fever
Pesticides and herbicides are another source of arsenic in Florida. Pressure treated
wood is an additional source of arsenic in Floridas environment

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 REFERENCES
http://www.flgeotech.com/geological-hazard-evaluations/
https://hazards.uw.edu/geology/
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/hazards/sinkholes.htm
http://www.tierragroupinternational.com/what-we-do/geologic-hazards/
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/hazards/coastal_erosion.htm
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/geologictopics/hazards/floods.htm
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/weather/os-weather-flooding-central-florida-
20170701-story.html

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University

 REFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1935_Labor_Day_hurricane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Andrew#Florida_2

September 22, 2017 | Adamson University