A large sinkhole measuring approximately 100 feet across opened up yesterday at the Summer Bay Resort in Lake County, Florida, nearly swallowing one of the luxury vacation buildings while partially crumbling two others.
From the time those inside first heard cracking noises, until the buildings went down, only 10 or 15 minutes went by for the guests to escape. Fortunately, the nearly 40 guests did get out in time and there were no injuries, although many had to rush out leaving everything behind, including medication and car keys.
Geologists are calling it a classic sinkhole, common in the Florida area due to the lands’ predominant geologic rock formations of limestone, which are water soluble and susceptible to what geologists call raveling – a vertical and/or lateral migration of sediments to deeper voids or cavities within the limestone. This shifting of sediment causes collapse, which is the mechanism that creates a sinkhole.
The U.S. Geological Survey will drill and test to determine if the sinkhole is growing.
The resort is located near Disney World, and around 4,500 guests were at the 300-acre resort at the time. Some of the displaced guests have moved to different units on the property while others will be housed elsewhere.
