Question about a depression

[pcolaboy]

While knocking around with my son in a heavily wooded area just yards away from Pensacola Bay, I found an extremely unusual feature on the ground. An area about 10 feet across in a near perfect circle was depressed into the ground about 2 feet. There have been no homes in this area in recorded history (I searched land records at the library). This spot is high and dry on a slight bluff with giant live oaks, pine, etc.

I guess my question is, since there is no history of human construction in this area and no evidence of any sink holes, what could have caused this depression? Could there have been something buried deeply under the ground and it collapsed causing the depression? Worth digging out? The soil is nearly 100% sand.

Thanks,

Pcola

[deepskyal]

My best guess would be just that...a sink hole.

If the ground is almost all sand, there's a good chance the underlying rock is sandstone which erodes quite easily. A lot of caves are formed in Sandstone, linestone, etc.

I've seen a new home constructed once and right in the back yard, once he was done excavating, was a huge fissure in the sandstone that had been covered by soil. It wasn't wide but ran about 30' long. Not exactly something I'd want near my house...on a hill.

Another possibility, it could be a spot where a big tree toppled over, roots and all...and has rotted away leaving the impression in the ground. Years of rain and whatever has smoothed it out to look the way it does.

But there's nothing to say it isn't man made either. Could have been a root cellar for some hermit or local Indians.

You got nothing to lose but a little time satisfying your curosity. Poke around in it and see what you turn up...keep us posted.

Al

[Ryan1979]

I'd look into it. You just never know.

[pcolaboy]

Thanks for the replies. A sinkhole is out of the question for this area. You have to go about 800-1000 feet before hitting any limestone or sandstone. Most of my area of Florida is sand over semi-permeable clay. The overturned tree theory is pretty plausible but the very fine sand surrounding the depression would have filled in the hole rather quickly and there is absolutely no remains of a tree - a fallen live oak tree can remain on the ground for decades before decaying to oblivion. I'm starting to like the root cellar theory (mainly because it's the sexiest theory ).

Next time I'm over that way I'll definitely be taking my MD and a shovel. You never know.

Thanks again,

Pcola

[Siegfried Schlagrule]

circular may end up being a large meteorite strike. siegfried schlagrule

[lastleg]

Or moles, maybe . . . lastleg

[MrBling]

UFO landing site

[Old Fart in TN]

maybe use a long probe before digging to feel around

[lastleg]

While probing if it pulls back, abandon search.

[Bum Luck]

Kip Wagner found one of these and it was a Spanish salvage camp site.

MD it. Then sift it.

Keep us posted.

[Zym]

Did you ever make it back?

[godisnum1]

I'd like to know what you've found... let us know if you find anything by detecting.

Bran <><

[lucky d]

live oaks huh...sounds like it would be in, around or near solid ground...maybe it was made by the indians ?...just a stab...hh

[SusanMN]

If this is an area where trees are growing, the depression may be the remains of a rotting stump. As the stump rots below ground, the dirt sinks down. I have several from old trees in my yard.

[ivan salis]

several thoughts* it might be a filled in fresh water well *--there were fresh water wells dug at spanish salvage camps in 1715 several feet deep to get good water to drink --it might be one of those type of diggings --- by the way it was actually * kip wangers dog actually found the spring * he was with kip when kip was out looking for the salvage camp site --kip "noticed" the dog drinking and went and checked it out * --(bet the dog got a steak that night. ) -- also it could be something or some one or a group of someones buried there so take care when digging . good kuck --- Ivan

[lou423]

This is the way old timers searched for caches:
They used a long spear and punched the ground with it...
When the spear sinks easily in the ground, that is spot.

[Mr.Jody]

Well, I know I was 'poking' around several sites, and all of a sudden, the ground got real soft, I mean like nothing but air there...?

[ivan salis]

grave or other hollow area -- find out which first.

[boogeyman]

If you don't probe, dig, or detect it, you'll never have a decent nights sleep Either that or be kicking yourself in the butt for the next 10 years for not checking it out

[pcolaboy]

If you don't probe, dig, or detect it, you'll never have a decent nights sleep Either that or be kicking yourself in the butt for the next 10 years for not checking it out

A group of us went down to check out the area again back in October but we discovered that the land had been purchased from the railroad and was being privately developed :-(.