Guatemala Sinkhole, 2010
Heavy rains from tropical storm Agatha
likely triggered the collapse of a huge
sinkhole in Guatemala on Sunday, seen above
a few days afterward.
Photograph by Daniel LeClair, Reuters
In the strictly geologic use of the word, a
sinkhole happens when water erodes solid
bedrock, carving an underground cavity that
can then collapse. Many parts of the United
States are at risk for that type of event.
The Guatemala sinkhole fits into a broader
use of the term, which refers to any sudden
slump of the ground's surface. Instead of
solid bedrock, much of Guatemala City rests
atop a layer of loose, gravelly volcanic
pumice that is hundreds of feet thick. And
at least one geologist says leaking
pipes—not nature—created the recent
sinkhole.
Overall, the risk for repeat sinkholes in
Guatemala City is high—but highly
unpredictable.
See also:
Sink Holes Around The World by National
Geographic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
