Warm Mineral Springs (spring)
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Warm Mineral Springs
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Warm Mineral Springs
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| Location | Warm Mineral Springs, Florida |
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| Coordinates | 27°3′32″N 82°15′39″W / 27.05889°N 82.26083°WCoordinates: 27°3′32″N 82°15′39″W / 27.05889°N 82.26083°W |
| NRHP Reference # | 77000408 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1977 |
The Warm Mineral Springs is a water-filled sinkhole located in North Port, Florida, a mile north of U.S. 41. The primary water supply is a spring vent deep beneath the pool's water surface. Warm Mineral Springs is the only warm water mineral spring in the State of Florida. It is an important geological and archaeological site containing Native American remnants. It functioned as a small natural spa since the 1960s. People travel from all over the world to soak in the mineral-rich waters. The waters are believed to have extraordinary healing powers and some believe it was the fountain of youth sought by Ponce de Leon. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1977. The springs re-opened for swimming only on April 12, 2014.
Warm Mineral Springs is a sinkhole formed in carbonate rock by the collapse of the roof of a cavern 30,000 years ago. The land surrounding the sinkhole is flat, and about 3 metres (10 ft) above mean sea level. The circular opening of the sinkhole at the current water level is 72 metres (236 ft) across. The sinkhole is 70 metres (230 ft) deep, and is shaped roughly like an hourglass. The opening narrows to 48 metres (157 ft) across a few meters below the surface of the water. About 13 metres (43 ft) below the surface the opening widens for a short space, forming a ledge under an overhang. The opening narrows to 38 metres (125 ft) across at 30 metres (98 ft) below the surface, and then opens up again, reaching 72 metres (236 ft) across at the bottom of the sinkhole. Debris from the collapsed roof and sides of the sink, and other material that has fallen into the sink, forms a large cone at the bottom, rising to 38 metres (125 ft) below the surface of the water.
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