How to Make a Small Easy Sinkhole
Make a sugar cave as part of your middle school geography to learn how to make a sinkhole.
We had never heard of sinkholes before moving to Florida. Now it seems every few months we learn about new sinkholes opening up in areas around us, causing a great deal of damage to homes and roads.
So, we started to wonder "What causes sinkholes to form?" and "Why are they so common in Florida?"
This post contains affiliate links. As aBrand Ambassador for Bright Ideas Press, we have received a complimentary copy of North Star Geography. We will offer honest insights about how this program is working in real life with our family.
Topography
Using our North Star Geography program as our guide, we have been learning all about topography.
Topography – the shapes and features of an area. You can think of topography as the "lay of the land." – North Star Geography, Lesson 5
When we look at physical maps we will find topographical data including:
- Landforms, such as mountains, hills, caves, and volcanoes
- Natural features such as grasslands, deserts, forests, and vegetation
- Man-made features such as cities, channels, and quarries
Looking at these maps only provides information about features on the Earth's surface. It is important to also to learn about geographical features below the surface, so we decided to take our learning underground!
Sinkholes and Karst Terrain
To learn about sinkholes we had to turn our attention to the geological features found underground.
This is where we learned another new term – Karst Terrain (or Karst Landscape)
Just below the surface of the Earth is rock. When there is a Karst Terrain, the rock found below the surface is a type that can be naturally dissolved by water – usually gypsum or limestone. As rainfall seeps through the ground it gradually dissolves the bedrock and caves (open spaces) form where the rock used to be.
Sometimes caves form beneath our feet without us knowing: when caves get too large to support whatever is built on top of them, they collapse, forming sinkholes. – North Star Geography
Apparently much of Florida's terrain is limestone which helps to explain the sinkholes. If you would like to find out which areas of the United States have the potential for caves and sinkhole formation, the U.S. Geological Survey has detailed maps and a short video to extend your research and help your family learn more about The Science of Sinkholes.
How to Make a Sinkhole
We have seen the photos of large sinkholes opening up around Florida and we still found it hard to believe the rock below these areas could dissolve away without any indications above the surface.
With this simple activity from North Star Geography, we were able to see for ourselves how caves are formed as water erodes away the rock material below the surface. Sugar cubes are used to represent limestone and clay covers the cubes like the ground covers the rock. Holes are poked through the clay and water pours over the clay to show how water seeps into the ground.
Supplies:
- Box of sugar cubes (30-50 cubes)
- Modeling clay (green or brown to represent the Earth's surface)
- Clear glass container with high sides (fish tank, bowl, or deep baking dish)
- Water
- Toothpick or pencil
Instructions:
- Arrange the sugar cubes against the glass, loosely stacked 3-4 cubes high and 3-4 cubes deep to make a "hill".
- Cover the outside of the cubes with modeling clay. The cubes should be completely covered except for one part at the bottom, which will be the cave mouth or spring. Decorate the outside with additional clay or other materials to represent grass, rocks, flowers, etc.
- Use the toothpick or sharp pencil to poke 2-3 holes in the top of your clay hill – preferably near where the clay meets the glass. These will be the holes that allow water into the cave.
- Slowly pour water over the top of your formation. It should filter down through the holes and start to erode the sugar before flowing out of the "spring" at the bottom.
- When you are done, you should have a lovely cross-section view of a sugar cavern! As you can see, the ground (clay) can stand for a short time, but if the clay collapses (because there is no longer support from the rock) a sinkhole forms.
More Middle School Geography Activities
- Fun online geography games your tweens are sure to enjoy playing.
- Teach older kids how to make a compass and determine North.
- Learn about world geography with a fun scavenger hunt.
What did your teen learn by building a sugar karst cave?
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Source: https://educationpossible.com/geography-activities-make-sugar-karst-cave-sinkhole/
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