The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-03-16

The following interesting article
from the st. Petersburg Times will
correct not few wrong impressions
regarding Florida geology:
Study of the subformation of Florida
Is interesting to him who would learn
from the book of nature, as we'll as
profitable to all concerned in the wa
ter supply of the state and whoever
drinks a cup of water drawn from be-
meath the surface OF Florida is con-
cerned in it's source. A knowledge of
the geological formation of this PEN
insula Will answer some important
questions, as to where to locate wells
and what kind of water may be rea-
sonably expected from them, Without
posing as a geologist, the writer will
attempt to impart such information
relative to this somewhat obscure
subject as he has gained from some
study of the work and writings Of men
who are acknowledged authorities on
the geology of the state.
In the absence of correct knowledge
and Judging from external evidences
there are those who conclude that the
Florida peninsula is but a sand drift
the accumulation of ages. that it is
sand all the way down." and that, by
some future and inexplicable catac-
lysm, 1t may meet the fate of tradi-
tional Atalantis.
The Florida peninsula rests upon a
| foundation Of limestone rock Of un-
known thickness, and at varying dis
tance beneath the surface, from a few
feet in some localities to several hun
dred feet in others. This limestone
extends upward to crest or "back-
bone" in the central part of the state
1t has gradual slope to the west
coast, and more abrupt decline to
the east coast. There is also a down.
ward inclination of irregular depth
Isouthward.
| Biologists have determined that in
portions OF the peninsula, there are
two well defined strata Of rock The
foundation. and the greater body of
this rock is known as vicksburg lime
stone. because OF it's surface exposure
at Vicksburg. Miss: and it is said to
come to the surface in Georgia This
tVfcksburg limestone lies beneath
louisiana, Mississippi. Alabama and
Georgia, as well as Florida. Resting on
the vicksburg limestone are other
bodies of stone of a local character
(which are named accordingly Thus
added layers Of bodies of stone under
meath Ocala and vicinity are known
as the Ocala limestone: other similar
| formations are Tampa limestone and
Hawthorne stone. At intervals are
bodies of flint rock on top Of the lime.
stone. In some places this flint may
be but one or two feet thick, while in
other parts it may be thick enough to
form basis or ridge above the ex-
| ternal surface. In parts of the PENN
sula the rock foundations are overlaid
with clay and shell deposits on which
rests the surface mantle of sand
OF the topography of Florida, con-
sidered In connection with geological
conditions, it may be said. in a gen.
eraI way. that the rolling pine lands
are underlaid with formation and ma.
rine deposits which facilitate the
drainage OF water through them as 1,
percolates from the surface Conse-
quently these lands are well drained
Flat woods are usually underlaid with
clay through which the water cannot
penetrate freely: for this reason, the
nat woods are often covered with wa.
ter during the rainy season Fla
woods are not necessarily low lands
Tney sometimes are considerably ele
waited. The State Geological Survey i.
authority for the statement that, IL
AIachua county. fiat woods occur a
an elevation OF $50 to IT'S feet
| As rule. hammock lands are un
derlaid by limestone, mari and othe
similar substances. Scrub growth 4
FOUND over deep sand hills, or dune
beneath the surface.
The authority quoted above offer
the following supposition as to th
Iorfgin OF the Florida peninsula: Fol
flowing the formation OF this basa
limestone. part Of the area was suf
1ciently elevated to become dry land
The land at first appears to have beel
an island, OF chain of islands, occu
tpytng central Peninsu1ar Florida Sub