What are Sinkholes ?
A farmer may view them as naturally forming holds that occasionally open up in the fields. Some people view sinkholes as sites for dumping their trash. In urban areas, the sudden appearance of a sinkhole is a hazard that can disrupt utility services, hamper transportation, and cause severe damage to nearby structures. In anyone’s backyard, a sinkhole is a safety risk to the curious who may find it exciting to explore this new “cave.” Information about sinkholes in Pennsylvania is pertinent to planning for future land development and for the protection of private and public property. It also provides a fascinating story for those who are interested in learning more about geologic conditions and earth processes. From Educational Series 11, Sinkholes in Pennsylvania, DEP Sinkholes are subsidence features that are the result of water moving residual material and soil through subsurface pathways caused by the weathering process. Sinkholes are typically circular in shape and can vary in size
Sinkholes are common where the rock below the land surface is limestone, carbonate rock, salt beds, or rocks that can naturally be dissolved by ground water circulating through them. As the rock dissolves, spaces and caverns develop underground. Sinkholes are dramatic because the land usually stays intact for a while until the underground spaces just get too big. If there is not enough support for the land above the spaces then a sudden collapse of the land surface can occur. These collapses can be small, or they can be huge and can occur where a house or road is on top. The most damage from sinkholes tends to occur in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. And now you know. Join us again every weekday for a new CoreFact. For other CoreFacts, or for CoreCast, our in-depth science podcast, go to usgs.gov/podcasts. If you’d like to have a question featured on our show, give us an email at corefacts@usgs.gov or a phone call at 703-648-5600.
A farmer may view them as naturally forming holes that occasionally open up in the fields. Some people see sinkholes as sites for dumping trash. In urban areas, the sudden appearance of a sinkhole is a hazard that can disrupt utility services, hamper transportation, and cause severe damage to nearby structures. In anyone’s backyard, a sinkhole is a safety risk to the curious who may find it exciting to explore this new “cave.” Information about sinkholes in Pennsylvania is pertinent to planning for future land development and for the protection of private and public property. It also provides a fascinating story for those who are interested in learning more about geologic conditions and earth processes.” — From Educational Series 11, Sinkholes in Pennsylvania* Sinkholes are subsidence features that are the result of water moving residual material and soil through subsurface pathways caused by the weathering process. Sinkholes are typically circular in shape and can vary in size. They s
When water moves through the limestone, erosion in the process can cause formation of large cavities in the bedrock. With further erosion this cavity can collapse causing an indent into the surface. This indent is referred as a sinkhole. Sinkholes can become primary source of recharge of water for the groundwater replenishment.
