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Sinkhole travel: The Dead Sea isn't the only place to see where the earth has caved in
The story about Eli Raz who fell into a sinkhole at the Dead Sea and wasn't found for 14 hours--alive, thank goodness, about environmental changes and the traveler's experience. In the case of Raz, the message is look, but be alert for heaven's sake when out in the natural world.
The Dead Sea, at the lowest point on earth, has 3,000 sinkholes along the coast and more coming. Raz is on a mission to map out those in existence in an effort to warn others where not to tread. Obviously, 14 hours in a sinkhole had an impact.
Caused by the earth dissolving underground, and the surface eventually collapsing inward, sinkholes are landmarks that attract people for a variety of reasons.
In the United States, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania are the states where sinkholes are most prevalent. There are hiking trails that lead to some of them and others are in cave country. Sinkholes have also created a place to get a bite to eat and watch bats.
Florida has the most sinkholes of any state in the U.S. There are several state parks where they play an important part in the balance of the environment. One such place is Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainsville, Florida. The sinkhole where waterfalls create an environment of lush vegetation has been a geographical curiousity since the 1800s.
Camdenton, Missouri, Ha Ha Tonka State Park- Has numerous sinkholes, caves, natural bridges and soaring bridges.
Cave City, Kentucky, Onyx Cave and Outlaw Cave--Not far from Mammouth Cave, these two caves are located in a sinkhole plain. I'm sure if you ask the locals where to find sinkholes, they can tell you. According to the descriptions of the area, sinkholes abound.
Morristown, Tennessee, Sink Holes Trail in Panther Creek State Park, Morristown, Tennessee. The trail leads past seven limestone sinkholes.
Rockspring, Texas. Devil's Sinkhole- The 360-foot deep sinkhole is Texas's 3rd largest cave and summer home to a slew of bats. At dusk you can watch them come out in droves. Join a tour at the Rockspring Visitor's Center.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, 17 miles from Heber, Arizona. Sinkhole Trail-The trail leads to a sinkhole and then down into it where the landscape makes a dramatic change.
In Pennsylvania, where sinkholes create disturbances along roadways and construction sites, Palmyra has the Sinkhole Saloon. In January, a possible sinkhole in Palmyra caused a road closure pending investigation. It looked like the road was falling inward.
Filed under: Hiking, History, Israel, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jehnavi Jun 3rd 2010 6:24AM
If you are not aware of, a sinkhole is a natural depression or a hole caused by the removal of the Earth’s surface. What remains only, is air. This happens due to the removal of soil, bedrock, or sometimes both, by water. It may vary in size, which can be from less than a meter to several hundreds of meters.
http://www.travelworth.com/diving-into-the-sinkholes.html
admin Apr 7th 2011 8:26AM
The Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area is situated within the San Angelo area of Texas. http://www.attractionsonline.com/gatlinburg-attractions.html