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Sinkhole
It is a depression in the ground that has no natural external surface drainage.
Water drains to the subsurface
Underneath soil/rock is dissolved by groundwater flowing through the material.
Human involvement
Causes of sinkholes
Aquifer systems
The soil above the system is balanced by the water pressure in the aquifer. When water is removed from system it destabilizes the pressure, increasing the chance of a sinkhole forming
Higher chance in urban
Karst Terrain
landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone and gypsum.
characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems
Dissolution sinkholes
ground with little overburden
Water erodes the rock away
deep impression in the ground forming a basin
Cover-collapse sinkhole
Water erodes rock away underneath overburden
Overburden soil loses stability
Rapid and sudden collapse
Human involvement
Leaky pipes
Sewer leakage
Pumping of groundwater
Construction
Water diversion
These are majors in formation of a sinkhole
Proper construction and maintenance of any underground pipes
Proper groundwater usage
Helps keep water table high and supports overburden
When a sinkhole occurs make sure it is kept trash free
Sinkholes usually have a direct link to drinking water which trash thrown into the sinkhole can lead to pollution of drinking water
Human made sinkholes can be avoidable
Guatemala City's Sinkholes, Guatemala
Happened in 2007, 300 ft. down
Devil's Sinkhole, Texas, U.S.A.
40 ft. by 60 ft. opening, 400 ft. down
Keep Away
Leave Your Impacted House Immediately
Fence or Rope Off the Area
Contact Your Insurance Company
Consult with a Soil Testing Firm or Engineering Company
Monitor the Sinkhole for Signs of Growth
Watch for Further Structural Damage
Avoid Dumping Anything into the Sinkhole
8 Actions To Take if You Believe You Have a SINKHOLE
Keep Away
The first step you should always take if you believe a sinkhole exists on your property is to keep away from it. In particular, make sure you keep children away from the possible sinkhole area. Then, locate any animals you may have and keep them away as well.
Leave Your Impacted House Immediately
Determine if the hole is impacting your house in any way. If it is, then leave the home and stay out of it. The most obvious signs that the hole is impacting your house include the following:
1. Sinking, sagging, or cracking walls
2. Difficulty closing doors and/or windows
3. Cracks in floors, pavement, patios, and/or ground surface in or around the house
Fence or Rope Off the Area
Making sure to use materials that are visible in both the daytime and nighttime, block the area of the sinkhole with fencing or rope. The critical point here is to make it clear to anyone that the area is definitely off limits and to block it off as best you can.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You may find that your insurance policy covers both assessment of the situation as well as repair. At the same time, you may find out that your insurance covers neither. It's important to understand what your insurance covers and does not cover so that you can budget for the right course of action.
Consult with a Soil Testing Firm or Engineering Company
To know for sure if you have a sinkhole, you will need to obtain the results of a test by a licensed engineer with a professional geologist on staff or by a geological testing firm, either of whom can perform an evaluation of your property. Pricing can vary widely from such firms.
Monitor the Sinkhole for Signs of Growth
Sinkholes can change in size rapidly. Continuously monitor the size of your sinkhole, making sure to remain at a safe distance from the sinkhole at all times.
Watch for Further Structural Damage
If you originally decided to stay in your home because you saw no signs of damage impact from the sinkhole, continue checking for signs of damage impact. Sinkhole dangers can evolve quickly, and you need to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate your home at the first sign of damage.
Avoid Dumping Anything into the Sinkhole
Dumping materials into sinkholes could possibly contaminate groundwater. Before putting anything into a sinkhole, await specific instructions from your local government agency and insurance company. You do not want to be liable for any damage.