The Geology of Florida: More Than Just Rocks

No matter where one travels around the globe, there is a story to be told. From the deepest of oceans to the highest of mountains, the Earth is teeming with geological history that slowly but surely sheds light on the planet's past. Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of geology is the fact that no two areas share a common history: every rock is a unique rock. This notion holds true even for the place I like to call home: Florida. Though many may not realize it, Florida has a diverse range of formations both above and below the surface. These rocks, bodies of water, and landforms each speak words that can be stitched together to demonstrate that Florida is more than meets the eye.

Although recorded history of Florida can only be traced back to about 14,000 years ago, the geological history of Florida goes back millions of years. The landmass itself is a plateau of karst limestone that sits on top of bedrock, which is referred to as the Florida Platform. Thousands of feet below the surface, rocks from the Precambrian Period have been indirectly observed and are collectively called basement rocks. These basement rocks vary in different areas of Florida. For instance, basalts are the common basement rock in South Florida whereas granite and sandstones are native to Central and North Florida, respectively. North Florida has also been found to contain siltstones and shale. Radiometric dating and fossils records put the age of most of these rocks at about 550 million years old. Other rocks in Florida are visible on the surface, such as the famous oolite limestone of Miami. In addition to this, Florida also holds more minerals than it is given credit for. Such minerals include cement and phosphate rocks, which held great significance for the earliest humans in Florida, as well as peat, sand, and gravel, which have been produced more recently. Florida contains more deposits of potash than any other state in the US. Oil and natural gas have also risen to prominence in the state of Florida. The rocks and minerals of Florida make it not only a majestic sight, but also an economic benefit.

Aside from its rich rocks, Florida is also well known for its magnificent bodies of water. The state itself is a peninsula covered on three sides by ocean. This makes for beautiful beaches which contain sand composed chiefly of quartz crystals from the weathering and transportation of rocks from the Appalachian Mountains. At the heart of Florida is Lake Okeechobee, which formed about 6,000 years ago. Lake Okeechobee is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, and is floored by a basin of limestone. Bodies of water such as the Taylor Creek and Kissimmee River flow into Lake Okeechobee, while the Everglades is the primary outflow. This lake provides a home to many different aquatic organisms, and also provides a stable watershed to millions of people. However, the majority of potable water used in Florida comes from its complex natural aquifer system, which is among the largest and most productive in the world. This aquifer system is made up of carbonate rocks which are porous and permeable, allowing water not only to penetrate, but also to get clean. This aquifer system is complemented by underwater caves as well as springs, which have been found at depths as low as 18,000 feet. The bodies of water in and around Florida complement its rocks as the true identity of the state becomes a little clearer.

Florida may not be the most mountainous of states, but it still boasts spectacular landforms that should not be overlooked. The highest natural point is that of Briton Hill, which stands at about 345 feet above sea level in North Florida. Recently however, skyscrapers and hotels have cast a manmade shadow on Briton Hill. A highly appealing characteristic to Floridians is that the state is tied for the least fewest earthquakes in the nation. This is due to the fact that Florida does not lie near any prominent tectonic plate boundaries, and earthquakes are therefore extremely rare. Just off the coast, the peninsula is marked by a 50-fathom bathymetric contour and a vivid coral reef system. However, not all of the landforms of Florida are good. The state is plagued by sinkholes caused from the chemical weathering of carbonate rocks. These sinkholes have been attributed primarily to acid precipitation and have done plenty of damage, engulfing cars and houses in the past. Florida has also seen floods in low-lying areas as well as periods of unstable soil. Although Florida may have its unappealing parts, the states' formations are a product of millions of years of Mother Earth hard at work.

The state of Florida has long been known for things such as lightning, hurricanes, and oranges. However, Florida boasts geological structures prominent enough to rival any weather patterns or fruit. From its rich variation in rocks and minerals to its beautiful lakes and coral reefs, the state of Florida is definitely a sight to be seen and a place I am glad to call home. Additionally, I now have a better understanding of my surroundings and will definitely look at the land with a keener eye. Florida has plenty of information to share with the world that most people are not aware of. Simply examining the rocks on the ground or the sands on the beaches speaks immensely on the history of the great state of Florida.

References

Whitman, Dean. Notes on Florida Geology. Sept. 1997. Web. 16 April 2011. .

Lane, Ed, and Walter Schmidt. "Florida's Geological History And Geological Resources." 1994. Web. 16 April 2011.

Randazzo, A. S., and Jones, D. S. The Geology of Florida . Florida: UP of Florida, 1997. Print.

Barr, Jason. "The Geological History of Florida." Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) . April 2009. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .