A sinkhole is a hole in the ground, but a very special one, appearing anywhere where rock dissolves, allowing the ground above it to sink. Some sinkholes happen gradually, but others open up almost instantly…these are the ones that you hear about in the news when one swallows a house!
Sinkholes happen around the world, from valleys in the high Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the Adriatic Sea, from the crystal-clear springs of Florida to the oases of the Arabian Desert.
With 140 color photos and detailed information keyed to color-coded spreads, this book illustrates how sinkholes are an important part of our natural environment.
CONTENTS
Understanding Sinkholes
What is a Sinkhole?
A World Full of Holes
Who Cares about Sinkholes?
Sinkhole or Not?
Rocks that Dissolve
From Rock to Landscape
One Grain at a Time
When Caverns Collapse
All Stressed Out
Inside a Sinkhole
Living Landscapes
The World Below
Nature’s Sculptures
Mountains and Bridges
Valleys
The Big Gulp
Vanishing Act
Prehistoric Sinkholes
When Sinkholes Fill Up
Water
The Water Cycle
The Water Table
Nature’s Drainpipe
Aquifers
Natural Wells
Springs
Fresh Water under the Sea
Habitats
The Sinkhole Community
A Precious Pond
Living in a Spring
Cavern Dwellers
At the Oasis
Living with Sinkholes
In Ancient Times
Spotting a Sinkhole
When the Earth Yawns
Filling a Sinkhole
Careful Construction
Guarding Against Collapse
Sinkholes in Our Midst
Nature’s Bounty
Buried Treasure
One Big Toilet
Water: A Precious Resource
Save that Sinkhole!
A Natural Wonder
Where to Visit a Sinkhole
Additional Resources
Glossary
Index
REVIEWS
“Sinkholes can be used as a resource for a wide variety of Earth science lessons, or it could provide interesting reading for literacy practice in classroom …this volume will be a welcome addition to the geology section of the middle school library.” — National Science Teachers Association