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Wonder
Crescent Beach Submarine Spring
In short
There are known at least 15 submarine springs near the coast of Florida. The most powerful is Crescent Beach Submarine Spring – a spring that is unusually far away from the coast.
30.3%
GPS coordinates
Location, address
Average discharge
Map of the site
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In detail
Crescent Beach Submarine Spring is located 3.9 km from the coast of Florida.
The ocean ground at this location is some 18 m deep but the spring vent is at the depth of 38 m. This “hollow” or “spring pool” has a diameter of some 25 m.
On a calm day the spring boil can be seen on the surface of ocean – it beats through 18 m thick layer of water!
Discharge
Most likely, this is a first magnitude spring (1.) with an extremely powerful discharge that thus far has not been measured. Exact discharge of Crescent Beach Submarine Spring is not known but some assessments mention up to 40,000 l/s what would make it the most powerful spring in Florida and USA and… world? Some other sources modestly mention that this is “at least 2nd magnitude spring”…
Freshwater or – almost freshwater
Spring water is slightly saline (6 g/l) contrary to the surrounding seawater (35 g/l). The smell of hydrogen sulfide (old boiled eggs) can be felt near this place.
It has been observed that the power of the spring fluctuates – after heavy rain the spring is more powerful.
Geology
Crescent Beach Submarine Spring has formed in a location where the “cover” over the Floridian Aquifer – clay-rich Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene formations – has been eroded and the Eocene formation – Ocala Limestone is exposed.
Spring formed during the ice ages, when the level of ocean was lower and this land was above the sea level.
History
Crescent Beach Submarine Spring is known since at least 1875 when the U.S. Coastal Survey made the first bathymetric maps of the area. But there are stories that this location was used to get fresh water on ships long before this.
References
- Re-examining the Submarine Spring at Crescent Beach, Florida. USGS Open-File Report 00-158, July 2000. Last accessed on 9th October 2023.
- Crescent Beach Submarine Spring, St. Johns River Water Management District. Last accessed on 9th October 2023.
- P.W Swarzenski, C.D Reich, R.M Spechler, J.L Kindinger, W.S Moore, Using multiple geochemical tracers to characterize the hydrogeology of the submarine spring off Crescent Beach, Florida, Chemical Geology, Volume 179, Issues 1–4, 1 September 2001, Pages 187-202. Last accessed on 9th October 2023.
Crescent Beach Submarine Spring is included in the following article:
Linked articles
Springs
Powerful natural freshwater springs belong to the most fascinating monuments of nature. Even more exciting is the diversity of unusual springs – mineral springs, hot springs, submarine springs as well as the unusual black smokers. Especially beautiful are such natural rarities as travertine, silica, or salt terraces created by warm and hot springs and, especially, geysers.
Wonders of the United States
The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world and offers a wide array of diverse attractions: many are unsurpassed in the world. Highlights of the United States are cliffs, canyons, and rock formations, several impressive downtowns of cities with numerous skyscrapers as well as a rich array of geothermal features, and the giant forest of California.
Wonders of Florida
Florida is the tropical paradise of the mainland United States. Over the last century, it has experienced fabulous changes, turning from a forgotten, swampy badland into a densely populated and rich land. Highlights of Florida include the architecture of the late 19th and 20th centuries as well as its giant springs and caves.
Recommended books
Florida Natural Wonders: 101 Slices Of Heaven That You Can’t Miss When Visiting Florida
Are You Ready for a Breathtaking Experience Through the Heart of Florida, Exploring Its Most Famous Wonders and Attractions?
If you want a guide that will help you find the most beautiful spots in this gorgeous state, then keep reading because this is the book you were looking for!
Best of: Florida Springs & Rivers: Top 40 natural springs in Florida for 2022
Florida is home to over 1000 natural springs between the sun-soaked beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, which have drawn people to the state for thousands of years. Long before theme parks came to town, the freshwater springs were the top tourist attraction in the state. Join us across the state to explore 40 of the best springs in Florida that you can still visit today.
