Table of Contents
- 1 Why should we be worried about sinkholes?
- 2 Why do sinkholes appear?
- 3 What happens when a sinkhole appears?
- 4 What do you think will happen if a sinkhole will occur in our home?
- 5 How do sinkholes affect people’s lives?
- 6 How can we protect ourselves from sinkholes?
- 7 What are the signs of a sinkhole in Your House?
- 8 Can a sinkhole be filled in the middle of the road?
Why should we be worried about sinkholes?
Should You Worry About Sinkholes? Not necessarily, but it depends on where you live. Most sinkholes don’t cause fatalities, but it is a possibility — especially if the collapse occurs direction underneath you without warning. Many injuries and fatalities occur when people accidentally drive into sinkholes in a road.
Why do sinkholes appear?
Sinkholes are formed when the land surface above collapses or sinks into the cavities or when surface material is carried downward into the voids. Drought, along with resulting high groundwater withdrawals, can make conditions favorable for sinkholes to form.
What would be the things we should do when sinkholes happen?
Emergency Action
- If you are in a public area:
- Evacuate immediately.
- Do not get too close to the sinkhole.
- Call emergency services if the hole is large and a risk to others.
- Raise awareness of other members of the public and ensure that others do not enter the area of and around the sinkhole.
- If you are in a residential area.
What happens when a sinkhole appears?
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.
What do you think will happen if a sinkhole will occur in our home?
When a sinkhole forms near or under your house, you’ll see subtle warning signs. Doors will jam and stop latching. Windows that used to open easily become hard to open, start sticking, or won’t open or close completely. You might notice that your cabinet doors and drawers sit unevenly or won’t open or close properly.
Has anyone died from a sinkhole?
Deaths Are Rare Anthony Randazzo, a former University of Florida professor, points out that deaths from sinkholes are thankfully rare. Randazzo notes that they usually don’t appear suddenly and that paying attention to warning signs will help keep you and your family safe.
How do sinkholes affect people’s lives?
Some of the dangers associated with sinkholes are obvious—they can swallow up buildings and damage roads, and people and livestock occasionally fall in. But sinkholes also cause problems by draining lakes and wetlands. And sinkholes can collect polluted water, allowing it to seep into the underlying groundwater.
How can we protect ourselves from sinkholes?
Use water sparingly if you live in an area with frequent droughts. Underground aquifers often help to prevent sinkholes because the water fills in cracks and holes that would normally cause settling. If the water isn’t present, the soil and rocks have more space to move and cause sinkholes.
What causes sinkholes to form?
Sinkholes are a karst terrain feature. They are not caused by erosion, but by the rock dissolving. They form by the dissolution of limestone by water. Ground water can be high in carbonic acid making the water a mild acid, so the limestone dissolves in it.
What are the signs of a sinkhole in Your House?
Small, new ponds of water are a sign of a sinkhole, especially if water has never collected there before. Look for pools of water around your foundation. Similarly, if an existing pond suddenly drains, you should call a professional.
Can a sinkhole be filled in the middle of the road?
If a sinkhole occurs in the middle of the road, contact local law enforcement agencies. The area should be cordoned off immediately. But, if the sinkhole is not impacting a house or other structure, and if it is a manageable size—1 to 3 feet in both diameter and depth—then it can be filled in.
Who is responsible for a sinkhole on my property?
Sinkholes that occur on private property are the homeowner’s responsibility.