Erosion by Groundwater

Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, forming a weak acid called carbonic acid.

When this rainwater soaks into the soil and rock, it moves slowly downward due to gravity, becoming groundwater.

As this slightly acidic groundwater flows through cracks and tiny spaces in rock, it gradually dissolves limestone, creating underground tunnels and openings.

Groundwater erosion can also form landforms known as caves. Water moves through small cracks, slowly widening them until a cave takes shape. Some caves grow large enough for people to explore.

But erosion doesn’t stop underground. Sometimes, a cave’s roof collapses, forming a sinkhole, a sudden hole in the ground that can be small or large enough to swallow buildings.

Florida is a prime example of how groundwater shapes the land. Much of the state consists of limestone and has a wet climate, making it especially prone to groundwater erosion, creating caves, sinkholes, and even natural springs.

The Everglades, a unique ecosystem in Florida, depends on both groundwater and surface water to sustain its diverse wildlife.