Sinks are cavities or depressions that form in the ground when water dissolves a surface rock. Typically, it is a limestone rock that wears away or erodes easily with the movement of water. We can find two types of sinks. The first is formed when the roof of a cave collapses and an underground cavern appears.
The other type of sink appears when the water dissolves the rock that is under the ground, giving rise to an underground well. As the rock dissolves, the soil layer gradually deteriorates until a hole is created in the surface.
Origin of sinks
Sinks can be of both natural and human origin. We can find spectacular sinkholes all over the world, from the one located in the Dead Sea to Zacatón (Mexico) to the Great Blue Hole on the coast of Belize, a hole 300 meters in diameter that was formed in the last period. glacial.
Artificial sinkholes are carried out when the development of a city is so high that it compromises the integrity of the rock that is inside the earth. Some constructions (such as roads or buildings) can cause water to accumulate in certain areas and the support rock to wear away. This can happen especially after heavy rain or in places at low sea levels.
They can be dangerous
Sinkholes can have dire consequences as they appear in an instant and destroy everything around you. In July 2017, a sinkhole caused the collapse of two houses in Florida, cutting off the road and threatening nine other buildings. Also, in February 2020, a huge sinkhole swallowed a bus with passengers in China, causing the deaths of six people.
