Lake Disston is characterized by a variety of seismic reflections. These reflections are consistent throughout the lake and are represented by the colored lines in seismic profiles A-A’ and B-B’. The lines have been digitized and the depths to the reflections plotted as contour maps shown at right. In the eastern part of the lake there is a large subsidence (> 1 km), obscured by noise in the record (A-A’ and Contour Maps 1, 2, 3). The western part has several smaller, near surface and deeper depressions (types 2 and 3, B-B’). The deep subsurface relationship between this complex and the larger subsidence is uncertain. Seismic profile B-B’ shows a deeper subsidence (type 3) with infilling by Hawthorn Group sediments that appear to have fracturing or dissolution type features that have distorted the overburden (B-B’, yellow line). These features may provide conduits for surface water recharge of the aquifer. Except for near surface sediments, the strata has subsided. High frequency, horizontal reflections near the surface may represent more lacustrine type fill, with no apparent disturbance (right green line).

Logs from wells in the area (Index Map D, wells V-0339, F-0296) show the depth to the Ocala Limestone to decrease from about -46 m (-150 ft) NVGD east of the lake to about -15 m (-50 ft) NGVD to the west. The reflective horizon represented by the dark green line in profiles A-A’ and B-B’, correlates with this contact. The variable relief of this horizon, as expressed on the left side of profile A-A’, and in the contour plot (Depth to Limestone) and subsurface two dimensional profile C-C’, is characteristic of mature karst development and a subsidence sinkhole. Besides the large depression in the east central portion of the lake (Depth to Limestone), there also appears to be dip in the karst surface to the northwestern portion of the lake. The plot of the intermediate horizon shows subsequent subsidence in the overlying Hawthorn Group sediments.