SILVER SPRINGS

one of the largest limestone springs in the world and town, in Marion County, north central Florida, U.S., 6 mi (10 km) east of Ocala. The average flow is about 530,000,000 gal (2,000,000 cu m) per day, containing more than 480 tons of minerals. The water maintains a constant temperature of 72 F (22 C). The source of the main spring is a cavern 65 ft (20 m) long and 12 ft high. Most of the water discharged from the 100 or more springs in the group is from the abundant rainfall of north central Florida, which drains into the porous limestone subsurface and later gushes to the surface, filtered to unusual clarity. The springs sustain a large variety of aquatic life. Remains of mastodons, manatees, and extinct elephants have also been found, including some in the Silver River (formed by the springs). The clear water is often exploited for filming underwater movie scenes, and glass-bottomed boats take visitors over the spring pools. The explorer Hernando de Soto was probably the first European to see Silver Springs when he camped at Ocali, an Indian village nearby, in 1539. The Indian name for the springs is Sua-ille-oka, which means sun-glinting water. The town of Silver Springs is the focus of tourist activity, with a large motel and restaurant industry. Pop. (1980) town, 1,082.