Sinkholes occur when part of the underground aquifer erodes or contains voids. When these voids are filled with water, the ground above is usually supported. If the water table drops, these voids become weekend and can collapse, most commonly when the surface becomes saturated and too heavy to be supported by the void.
Florida has more sinkholes than any other state, and most of Florida sinkholes are located in Northern Florida. In 1981, a sinkhole in Winter Park 10 stories deep swallowed a house, cars and businesses. Most sinkholes are not that big. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has created a map for residents that shows the of areas in Florida most prone to sinkholes or where sinkholes actually exist. Sinkholes can cause a lot of problems in Florida, but overtime they can also become beautiful additions to the landscape. Many parks and springs sit on the site of sinkholes that have been around for hundreds of years.