 |
| source : http://www.nachi.org/ |
OtisHum
A 60 ft wide and 15 ft deep sinkhole in Florida opened up near the
popular Summer Bay vacation resort and Walt Disney kid's center, this
event occurred at around 11.00 pm on Sunday 11 th August 2013. The scary
sinkhole swallowed up half of a huge building found in Clermont area,
it also caused many vacationers to spend the night outside fearing for
their lives within the hotels.
What caused the sinkhole?
What caused the sinkhole?
According to US Geological Survey, the region between Orlando and Tampa is referred to as the ’sinkhole alley.’ This phenomena is usually accelerated by rapid commercial developments and clearing land for agricultural activities, especially on loose and porous grounds.
Moreover, once people start engaging in activities such as putting up new houses or paving roads, runoff water collects in storm drains and underground ditches. When the liquid becomes excess, it creates pressure that weakens the surrounding rocks thus creating an artificial fault line depression.
Most modern development projects involve churning enormous quantities of water from the ground using powerful bulldozers. This can add to the region's vulnerability and increase chances of the soil caving in. Dangerous human activities have greatly damaged the ground, thus increasing the total number of sinkholes affecting America every year.
The science behind sinkholes
Though the residents of Florida were woken up by an artificial sinkhole, it's good to know that everyone escaped unscathed according to the county authorities. Nevertheless, geologists believe that sinkholes are not new and have been forming for many years. Unlike the one which occurred in Clermont, most of them happen gradually and not in a fortnight.
When sinkholes develop quickly then they can have fatal effects to victims. For instance, in March 2013 another sad event occurred in the house of Florida resident Mr. Jeff Bush, he was confirmed missing after a sinkhole emerged within his bedroom. It apparently sucked him deep into the ground with no trace to be found.
Some scientists believe that these ground depressions occur when acidic groundwater mixes with limestone lying beneath the ground, creating a huge void of rock cavities. When the overbearing ceiling fails to support weight coming from above, the earth would collapse and a sinkhole would be formed. If a home or road stands right at the weak spot, then it would also be swallowed deep into the ground. At Summer Bay, the caving occurred beneath a human elevator shaft linked by breezeways channel to two adjacent apartment blocks.
Nevertheless, there are a few geologists who say that record high July rainfalls may have triggered the sinkhole in Florida. These experts argue that ground saturation could have made the surrounding sand heavier, therefore triggering the collapse. Most artificial sinkholes take less than 2 hrs to form.
Moreover, they expand quickly and can affect a large area regardless of people living there. It's advisable for residents to evacuate the region surrounding an epicenter so as not to be caught up in the same situation. Some sinkholes can measure 100 ft deep and also cover the same distance across, plus rain water may accumulate within them thus forming artificial ponds.
Sinkhole in Florida
100out of 100 based on 100 ratings. 100 user reviews.
100out of 100 based on 100 ratings. 100 user reviews.
