The kind of sinkhole that suddenly opened up under a Florida
home is more common than you might think. Let's take a look at
what causes them, where they happen and just how dangerous and
costly they can be: What causes sinkholes? Many sinkholes form
when acidic rainwater dissolves limestone or similar rock
beneath the soil, leaving a large void that collapses when it's
no longer able to support the weight of what's above, whether
that be an open field, a road or a house. These are called
"cover-collapse sinkholes," and it would appear this is what's
happening in Florida, where the ground beneath the home suddenly
gave way. Where do they happen? Sinkholes are particularly
common in Florida, which rests on a nearly unbroken bed of
limestone, according to the Florida Sinkhole Research Institute.
Central Florida, including the Tampa area, is particularly known
for sinkholes. In fact, Hillsborough County, where Thursday's
collapse occurred, is known as part of Florida's so-called
Sinkhole Alley, where two-thirds o