Publication Date
5-2020
Abstract
The karst landscapes of Puerto Rico cover nearly 30% of the island, occurring on the north and south coasts and in small patches throughout the central part of the Commonwealth. The karst is expressed through dramatic inland and coastal landforms, extensive limestone aquifers, coastal wetlands and estuaries, and through the many caves and cave systems that drain the landscape. An important feature of Puerto Rico’s karst are sinkholes which form from a variety of processes including dissolution of underlying strata, collapse of subterranean voids, and landslides. From a touristic perspective, sinkholes have served as major attractions in Puerto Rico i.e. Tres Pueblos Sinkhole, Arecibo Observatory telescope located within a large sinkhole, and the route of the Rio Tanama through a series of collapsed sinkholes. Analysis of sinkhole occurrence and density have shown that sinkhole development is a measure of karstification. However, despite touristic and academic interest, sinkholes pose major challenges to land development and are also subject to human impact. In the most extensive karst area, on the North Coast, it is reported that there are over 4,300 documented sinkholes, giving a sinkhole density of 5.4/km2 with a mean sinkhole depth of 19 m. Improved availability of digital terrain, and other GIS data, allow a fresh look at karstification of the island and the ever-growing impact of human development on the karst. Typical problems include groundwater contamination, foundation instability, and storm-induced road collapses.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5038/9781733375313.1055
Sinkholes and karst in Puerto Rico: Picturesque and problematic
The karst landscapes of Puerto Rico cover nearly 30% of the island, occurring on the north and south coasts and in small patches throughout the central part of the Commonwealth. The karst is expressed through dramatic inland and coastal landforms, extensive limestone aquifers, coastal wetlands and estuaries, and through the many caves and cave systems that drain the landscape. An important feature of Puerto Rico’s karst are sinkholes which form from a variety of processes including dissolution of underlying strata, collapse of subterranean voids, and landslides. From a touristic perspective, sinkholes have served as major attractions in Puerto Rico i.e. Tres Pueblos Sinkhole, Arecibo Observatory telescope located within a large sinkhole, and the route of the Rio Tanama through a series of collapsed sinkholes. Analysis of sinkhole occurrence and density have shown that sinkhole development is a measure of karstification. However, despite touristic and academic interest, sinkholes pose major challenges to land development and are also subject to human impact. In the most extensive karst area, on the North Coast, it is reported that there are over 4,300 documented sinkholes, giving a sinkhole density of 5.4/km2 with a mean sinkhole depth of 19 m. Improved availability of digital terrain, and other GIS data, allow a fresh look at karstification of the island and the ever-growing impact of human development on the karst. Typical problems include groundwater contamination, foundation instability, and storm-induced road collapses.
