The Karst Systems of Florida / Cave and Karst Systems of the World (PDF)

storms/rain events and sudden sinkhole collapse. Dr. Scott has served on the Florida Board of Professional Geologists and is licensed to practice in Florida.


Michael C. Alfieri, P.G., P.Hg., CGWP, is a professionally licensed geologist in twelve states, including Florida, and a nationally certified/registered hydrogeologist. Mr. Alfieri currently manages the operation of hydrogeological services for Water Resource Associates, LLC (WRA) in Tampa, Florida. As a Principal Hydrogeologist at WRA, he provides: geologic, hydrogeological, and karst science interpretation and evaluations; consumptive/water use permitting assistance; alternative water supply solutions; groundwater flow modeling; and expert witness services. Mr. Alfieri has extensive experience and knowledge in the area of karst hydrogeology and evaluating karst hydrogeological systems. He conducted and/or managed the design of many hydrogeological investigations and the collection of field data for water resource evaluations across the United States over his career, as well as providing third party reviews of hydrogeological evaluations. Mr. Alfieri is currently the Chair of the Florida Board of Professional Geologists and currently the Chairman of ASTM Sub-Committee D18.21.03: Well Design, Maintenance & Construction.

Dr. Beth Fratesi is an expert in coastal karst science and groundwater modeling. She managed hundreds of subsidence investigations at SDII and is currently a Research Scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, creating groundwater models for use as management tools in highly impacted aquifer systems such as the karstic Edwards Aquifer of Texas. She is author to numerous papers on karst science, the philosophy of geology, and geologic education.


Dr. Thomas L. Dobecki, P.G. is an internationally known consulting geophysicist with numerous publications and presentations to his credit. He has worked in diverse locations and on high visibility projects worldwide and has recently retired from SDII Global Corporation. Dr. Dobecki was formerly an Associate Professor of Geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines and worked for the Sandia National Laboratory. Much of his career has been as a consultant in Texas, Colorado, California, and Florida. Most recently he served as Principal Geophysicist for SDII where he was responsible for developing and improving geophysical techniques for sinkhole investigation. Since retirement, Dr. Dobecki is Principal of Dobecki Geosciences, LLC. Dr. Dobecki is a former President of the Near Surface Geophysics Section of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. He is licensed to practice in Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Georgia.