I was wondering when some climate astrologer would go down this road after the sinkhole in Florida that swallowed that man (via Quark Soup)
(Discover) Increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to rainwater containing higher levels of carbon dioxide, otherwise known as acid rain. When carbon dioxide in water is given a carbonate ion, it prefers to make bicarbonate ions rather than staying happily in the water minding its own business. Any rock or shell made of carbonate then becomes more at risk of dissolution as the ocean and rainwater become more acidic, much like tooth enamel dissolves away when soaked in a glass of soda pop.
Once the bedrock starts to dissolve and erode away, the type of surface sediment makes the difference as to whether the sinkhole will be catastrophic or not.
Good grief.
Now, the Quark Soup link adds info from the USGS, which discusses land use which can cause sinkholes. AGW? Mule fritters!
Hello? Florida? Giant sand bar?
Is this thing on?
Hello? Rain does not cause sink holes.
Ground water does.
Hello? Anyone in science listening?