Sinkhole unearthed / How sinkholes are made?

Tag-ulan na naman, usong-uso ang pagbaha at pag-guho ng mga lupa, let's dive in to this interesting topic - sinkholes.

What is a Sinkhole?

A sinkhole is a hole that suddenly appears in the ground. It happens when the soil and rock underneath the surface get washed away by water, creating a big empty space that can no longer support the ground above it. Think of it as when you eat all the cake under the frosting and suddenly, the frosting collapses.

chasm under the bed

To find a deep chasm under your bed doesn't only sound creepy but nonetheless terrifying. A recent sinkhole visited Guatamela City once again, this time under the bed of a 65-year old woman. I was thinking, could a sinkhole like this be a portal to hell?

Ever since i had known about sink holes, i was mesmerized by their circular rigidity and the wonder of admiration of how it was suddenly created, not to mention the calculating effects of the brain thinking how deep would it be? and other possible shoulda woulda coulda questions.

It may sound beyond the borders of our comprehension but science has it explained how chasms are being made especially in Guatamela where the litosphere is kinppd of porous, fluids such as rainwater is easily absorbed inside the earth. 

What makes it disturbing are the sudden show-ups of these holes which are pretty scary. Imagine a 40 feet deep hole abruptly appearing inside your house. It's for sure a wonder to claim with horrifying effects. It definitely is considered as a natural disaster which is similar to typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes.

Below's the pic of a great chasm of which a building was swallowed in Guatamela back in 2010. It's a hole that's more than meets the eye.

(photo from Google Gallery)

How Do They Form?

Here’s a simple recipe for a sinkhole:

1. Water Dissolves Rock: Over time, rainwater, which is slightly acidic, seeps into the ground and slowly dissolves rocks like limestone, gypsum, or salt beds. Imagine slowly pouring hot water over sugar cubes; eventually, they disappear.

2. Underground Cavities: As the rock dissolves, it creates empty spaces or cavities underground. These cavities can get pretty large, like a secret hideout under your backyard.

3. Surface Collapse: When the cavity gets too big and the ground above can no longer hold, it collapses. It's like when too many people stand on a paper-thin cake; it caves in, and voila! You have a sinkhole.

   
   

   Fun (or Scary) Facts

   • Size Matters: Sinkholes can be tiny, just a few feet across, or they can be massive, swallowing entire buildings or roadways.
   • Location, Location: They are common in areas with lots of limestone, such as Florida in the USA, parts of China, and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Think of these places as having a lot of underground Swiss cheese.

   Prevention and Safety

   If you live in a sinkhole-prone area, here are some tips:

   • Watch for Warning Signs: Cracks in the ground or your home’s foundation, trees or fence posts that tilt, or small ponds where there weren’t any.
   • Regular Inspections: Have professionals check the stability of the ground, especially if you notice any of the warning signs.
   
   
   So, there you have it! Sinkholes are like nature’s way of reminding us that the ground isn’t always as solid as it seems. They might be scary, but understanding how they work can help us deal with them better. Just remember, when life gives you sinkholes, it might be time to move to higher ground!

   
   

   
   

   --MAC

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