Sinkholes

Sinkholes form when groundwater seeps into limestone and erodes large amounts of it. This then makes the ground there unstable and at risk of sinking into the ground and when it does it is known as a sinkhole. Florida has so many sinkholes because of their local geography of wetlands and a moist climate. In colder temperatures the water that supports the walls in the sinkhole will lower which can cause the ground above to collapse in. A major hazard with sinkholes is the possibily of waste and garbage falling in and polluting local ground water.

Website Link and Info:
Link: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/sinkholes.html
Authors: Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, and the Invasive Plant Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Nashville Floods

Excessive rainfall and rising in the height of the Cumberland River led to the flooding in the Nashville region. The Cumberland River was 50 feet above its normal level when it crested. There are levees and flood control dams to prevent flooding but the water levels were too high and powerful for these devices to handle.

Website Link and Info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/us/04flood.html?src=mv
Authors: William Harless and Joseph Berger

Oil Disaster

The explosion was caused by a fire that had started on the oil rig. The Gulf Coast is being affected by the oil spill but Louisiana is being hurt the most. Some of the environmental problems forming from the oil spill is water pollution, damage to ecosystems and coastline regions. 42,000 gallons of oil are leaking out into the Gulf Coast region everyday. They are trying to stop the oil leak by placing a box shaped container over it. So far all attempts to slow or stop the oil are failing.

Website Link Info: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042604308.html
Author: Steven Mufson