Dolines and Sinkholes

Image via Southwest Florida Water Management District. View larger.

Sinkhole in Guatemala City 2010.

The giant Guatemala sinkhole that opened in Guatemala City May 30 was similar to one that formed just a few blocks away in 2007. Guatemala City is built on loose volcanic pumice, which is easily eroded by water.

Newscom

 China sinkhole

Sinkhole in Guatemala City 2010

Beginning 2010 April 27, several sinkholes appeared one after another in Yinbin City of Sichuan province, with the number of sinkholes numbering over a dozen. The local land department has stated that the “sinkholes” were caused by coal mining, and through investigation has confirmed that there is no impact upon villagers.



Sinkhole in Guatemala City 2010




China sinkhole  By Michael Evans

 

 A sinkhole, also known as a sink, snake hole, swallow hole, swallet, doline, or cenote, is a natural depression or hole in the Earth's surface caused by karst processes — for example, the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks or suffosion processes. Reference and more details at: British Geological Survey