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DRRRR Moduke

Sinkholes are depressions or holes in the ground caused by the collapse of soil layers above spaces or cavities underground. They typically form in areas with limestone or other soluble bedrock. Water dissolves the bedrock over time, creating underground spaces. If the layer above can no longer support the weight of material above it, the surface subsides or collapses suddenly, forming a sinkhole. There are several types of sinkholes that vary in formation speed and size. Sinkholes can also be caused or accelerated by human activities like groundwater pumping or construction that disrupt subsurface support or drainage.

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50 views

DRRRR Moduke

Sinkholes are depressions or holes in the ground caused by the collapse of soil layers above spaces or cavities underground. They typically form in areas with limestone or other soluble bedrock. Water dissolves the bedrock over time, creating underground spaces. If the layer above can no longer support the weight of material above it, the surface subsides or collapses suddenly, forming a sinkhole. There are several types of sinkholes that vary in formation speed and size. Sinkholes can also be caused or accelerated by human activities like groundwater pumping or construction that disrupt subsurface support or drainage.

Uploaded by

Ryan Bersamin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sinkholes

Sinkholes are
depressions or holes on
the ground that resulted
for the collapse of the
surface layer of the soil.
Sinkholes occur in areas
where the soil foundation
is made of soft minerals
and rocks such as
limestone, salt beds, or
any acidic rocks. The
rocks can be weakened
further by frequent
submersion in waters,
such as when there is
repeated rainfall or an
unmanaged flood. The
rocks dissolve in water
and gradually weaken, curving and forming spaces and underground passages for
water. When the spaces underground become bigger and the layer of bedrock above it
can no longer support the weight above it, a sudden collapse of the land surface
dramatically takes places. The depth of sinkholes varies from a few meters to even
kilometers deep.

Sinkhole Development

As rain falls, it Over time, the The void continues Eventually, the
absorbs carbon dioxide, underground void to grow and stope structural integrity of
making percolating becomes larger as the upward toward the the overlying material is
water slightly acidic. As soil and rock from surface. breached and a
this water migrates above fall into the sinkhole forms.
downward, the cavity and are washed
carbonate bedrock is away.
slowly dissolved,
creating bedrock voids.
Aerial view of a deep
sinkhole that opened up
in Itogon, Benguet, in the
aftermath of Typhoon
‘Lando’.

The collapse of the ground can also be triggered by any type of land movement
that cause vibrations such as earthquakes, volcanic activities, and even human
development activities such as construction and industrial activities. Most of the new
sinkhole recently discovered are linked to land-use practices, especially groundwater
pumping, ground excavation, and land development. When the land is altered, the
natural water drainage is oftentimes changed as well due to levelling and carving of
land. It should be noted that sinkholes are natural formations that serve as an
underground basin or a reservoir of water. The topmost layer of the surface layer of
the ground that covers the hole or cavity is maintained by the pressure of the
groundwater. Hence, this top layer should not be built on by anything heavy or should
not even be modified or touched at all. In urban development, however, ground
modification cannot be prevented. This is one reason that sinkholes are formed earlier
than usual or that disasters take place due to damage or destruction of structures
built on areas prone to sinkholes.

Types of Sinkholes
According to geologists, there are three main types of sinkholes—solution,
cover-subsidence, and cover-collapse sinkholes. However, we also have artificial
sinkholes, caused by human activities.

Cover Collapse Sinkholes


Cover-collapse sinkholes may develop abruptly (over a period of hours) and thus
cause catastrophic damages. They occur where the covering sediments contain a
significant amount of clay. Over time, surface drainage, erosion, and deposition of
sinkhole into a shallower bowl-shaped depression. 166

Cover Subsidence Sinkholes

Cover-subsidence sinkholes tend to develop gradually where the covering


sediments are permeable and contain sand. In areas where cover material is thicker or
sediments contain more clay, cover-subsidence sinkholes are relatively uncommon
and therefore may not be seen frequently. They are smaller and thus may go
undetected for long periods.

Solution Sinkholes
Solution
sinkholes occur
in areas where
limestone is
exposed at land
surface or also
is covered by
thin layers of
soil and
permeable sand.
Dissolution of
the limestone or
dolomite is most
intensive where the water first contacts the rock surface. Aggressive dissolution also
occurs where flow is focused in pre-existing openings in the rock, such as along joints,
fractures, and bedding planes, and in the zone of water-table fluctuation where
groundwater is in contact with the atmosphere. Solution sinkholes are generally small
in size and also slow to develop.
Artificial Sinkholes

As stated earlier in this


article, humans also can
create sinkholes. Artificial
sinkholes are actually quite
common, especially in urban
areas. That’s why you are
advised to conduct a
thorough investigation before
you begin to construct a
building.
These types of sinkholes
can be caused by various human activities, including groundwater pumping and
construction activities. However, the most common activities that result in artificial
sinkholes are mining, drilling, considerable changes in weight, as well as a
tremendous increase in water flow, such as a construction of an artificial pond. So,
how does all these cause sinkholes?

What Causes a Sinkhole?


Sinkholes are all about water.
 Water dissolved minerals in the rock, leaving residue and open spaces within
the rock. (This is called "weathering".)
 Water washes away the soil and residue from the voids in the rock.
 Lowering of groundwater levels can cause a loss of support for the soft material
in the rock spaces that can lead to collapse.
 Changing groundwater gradients (due to removing or introducing water to the
system) can cause loose material to flush out quicker from the voids and the
surface to collapse in response.
 Any change to the hydrologic system (putting more water in or taking it out)
causes the system to become at least temporarily unstable and can lead to
sinkholes.
 Sinkholes can result from seasonal changes in the groundwater table, freeze and
thaw of the ground, and extremes in precipitation (drought vs heavy rain).
Karst landscapes develop naturally through the weathering process so a sinkhole
can be considered a natural occurrence. But, human influence causes sinkholes to
occur where they might not naturally have happened. Or, they may occur sooner or
more abruptly than under natural conditions.

Typical activities that can lead to sinkholes are:


 Decline of water levels - drought, groundwater pumping (wells, quarries, mines)
 Disturbance of the soil - digging through soil layers, soil removal, drilling
 Point-source of water - leaking water/sewer pipes, injection of water
 Concentration of water flow - storm water drains, swales, etc.
 Water impoundments - basins, ponds, dams
 Heavy loads on the surface - structures, equipment
Sometimes several factors combine to cause a sinkhole. A sinkhole left open to take
more water may continue to grow and can contribute to the appearance of more
sinkholes nearby.

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/sinkholes?qt-
science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/My-Water/Sinkholes/Pages/What-causes-a-
sinkhole.aspx#:~:

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