Don't become paranoid about it, but DO a LOT of homework. Florida government website also keep maps with good stats, and you definitely want to make sure you talk in person with the insurance agency you are going to use and make SURE you understand the differences in the coverage and especially the "TERMS" used in the language ! ! HOME WORK PAYS

detecting sinkholes
 

Thanks for the link on the geology paper for central FL In some cases it is possible to detect sinkholes using geophysical methods. One is ground penetrating radar(GPR). The depth of detection is inversely proportional to the frequency. But the resolution is lower for lower frequencies. So using higher frequencies gives more detail but won't detect as deep. Ground penetrating radar devices are very expensive. There are companies out there that can do a study of your property. You can easily find them with a search engine. I would put one here, but someone might think that I am promoting it and have an interest in their business.

If you are an electronics enthusiast I saw some plans on how to build one, but I am not sure of its performance, and so far I haven't found a link for the source code.

You could use statistics to formally look for a correlation between elevation and sinkholes. Those with lower elevation though are also closer to layers where the FL aquifer is, and where conduits and caves would form. So GPR would not have as far to go to reach that layer. Clay soils and moisture greatly affect GPR by reducing the range of the signal. Under those conditions you may not get the detection depth that you want.

Sinkholes in TV
 

Thank you very much for this article and the work you’ve done. I appreciate also all comments to this topic.

The compass app on your iPhone gives the elevation where the phone is located.

Wow! Thank you!

Who?

I'm in Mallory Square. Yikes! I do have something to worry about. Life is not all a bowl of cherries.

Sinkholes
 

Sinkholes occur when limestone is eroded away by water. Almost the entire state of Florida is on a limestone base. Perhaps (unscientifically speaking), water gathers from rains etc to the lowest spots and accelerates erosion. This kind of endorses you hypotheses?

Considering the number of homes here in the Villages sinkholes are a very rare occurrence. You are more likely to have a home fire. Companies are making a lot of money on that insurance coverage.

Great Job
 

I wonder if we laid this map over the florida sinkhole rating map if we would find any answers.

I am very interested in this topic and its seems like no one wants to talk about it.

How can a person invest 500k into a house that may sink into the ground?

IMO I’d say 500 year floods unless water Main breaks or retention pond drain/transfer pipes are involved then it goes way up like predicting winner of 10 horse races. :undecided:

IMO majority of sinkholes most likely would not of occurred if development had not taken place.:blahblahblah:

You might be able have penetrating ground inspection that my show something if it does and have it filled in before build house (but that may cost more than house?)Like ones they do when sinkhole occurs before they fill it in. I sure it’s pretty expensive? I don’t know it it’s allowed on new or resale homes already built?

There is a Florida sinkhole rating map??

We live in one of the most active lightning areas in the US. How can a person invest 500k into a house that may get hit by lightning? Whether it's lightning, blizzards, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes you cannot get away from natural disasters. Do what you can to avoid them, do what you can to prepare for them, then buy your 500k house where you feel the rewards outweigh the risks.

Or have good insurance policy and good lawyer.

Major sink hole on Hillsborough road beside Pensacola golf course!
 

About 7 years ago a major sink hole (developer says depression) was directly under Hillsborough road by Pensacola golf course. It took several weeks for developers to repair. I believe it was 20 feet deep.

Have you completed your great research south of H44?