FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 15, 2013
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BEGINS SINKHOLE VULNERABILITY STUDY FOLLOWING STAKEHOLDER MEETING
~Florida Geological Survey hosts meeting to layout three year study~
TALLAHASSEE -The Florida Geological Survey
started its work on the Sinkhole
Vulnerability Mapping Project after they hosted a
meeting for stakeholders on Nov. 6, in Live Oak. Following the meeting, field work commenced
with documenting multiple sinkholes on private landowner's property in the pilot study
area of Suwannee, Columbia and Hamilton counties. The data will be part of Geologic Information System data that will be
compiled and processed in the study.
Supported
by a $1.08 million federal grant, the Florida Geological Survey will
combine the data layers they explore with other known sinkhole locations and
use mathematical, spatial and statistical associations to predict the
vulnerability of different areas. The study will use a data-driven modeling
method called “Weights of Evidence” to determine this relative vulnerability and
remove any bias in existing data.
The
project is a three year study that will produce two maps: one in the pilot area
and the other statewide. The pilot study is slated to end in May 2014, at
which point the statewide assessment will begin.
“It is important to understand
the geological character of the ground below us and this project will provide a
map of the relative vulnerability to sinkhole formation in Florida as an
important hazard mitigation planning tool.” said Dr. Jon Arthur, Director of
Florida Geological Survey. “There is a national interest in our
innovative approach to this project, and we are excited to begin the work of
developing input data layers for the model.”
Dr. Arthur spoke to the
National Academy of Sciences Board on Earth Sciences and Resources’ Committee on
Geological and Geotechnical Engineering in Washington, DC on Nov. 14. He
presented information on Florida sinkholes and this project to the committee as
they consider national perspectives on science and policies related to
sinkholes.
The purpose of this project is to
provide the Florida Department of Emergency Management with a map to assist in
creating more efficient hazard mitigation strategies. Working in conjunction with
the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency - funded study could reduce loss of life and property as the result of a
sinkhole.
The stakeholders meeting
provided public officials in Suwannee, Columbia and Hamilton counties with information
regarding sinkholes and explained the overview of the project being
conducted. The contract year date for the
pilot study is slated for the end of May 2014. The next meeting to inform the
public officials on the status of the project will occur in March 2014.
More information on the
vulnerability study can be found here. For more information regarding
sinkholes please visit the Florida Geological Survey Website.
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