Activity

NADL RACESFU
an area of land
LAND SURFACE
 LOHE
an opening into or through a thing
HOLE
 LACPOESL
to fall down or fall to pieces, as when supports or
sides fail to hold; cave in; shrink together suddenly
COLLAPSE
 EISNEMTLO
a sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium
carbonate or dolomite
LIMESTONE
 BONCATERA OCRK
class of sedimentary rocks composed primarily of
carbonate minerals
CARBONATE ROCK
 ERDUGONRUDN
beneath the surface of the ground
UNDERGROUND
 NARORUDTGWE
water held underground in the soil or in pores and
crevices in rock
GROUND WATER
 CVENRA
a cave, or a chamber in a cave, typically a large one
CAVERN
Geological Hazard:
ILOSHKESNK
Geological Hazard:
SINKHOLES
Sinkholes
By: Mabilangan, Go,
Laboc, De Los Reyes
Sinkholes are common
where the rock below
the land surface is
limestone, carbonate
rock, salt beds, or rocks
that can naturally be
dissolved by
groundwater circulating
through them. 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. These
collapses can be small, or
they can be huge and can
occur where a house or road
is on top.
 Sinkholes can vary from a
few feet to hundreds of
acres and from less than 1 to
more than 100 feet deep.
Some are shaped like
shallow bowls or saucers
whereas others have
vertical walls; some hold
water and form natural
ponds..
Types of
Sinkholes
 Dissolution Sinkholes
dissolution of the limestone or dolomite is most intensive
where the water first contacts the rock surface. Aggressive
dissolution also occurs where flow is focused in pre-existing
openings in the rock, such as along joints, fractures, and
bedding planes, and in the zone of water-table fluctuation
where groundwater is in contact with the atmosphere.

Cover-subsidence sinkholes
tend to develop gradually where the covering sediments
are permeable and contain sand. In areas where cover
material is thicker or sediments contain more clay, cover-
subsidence sinkholes are relatively uncommon, are
smaller, and may go undetected for long periods.
 Dissolution Sinkholes

Cover-subsidence sinkholes
Cover-collapse sinkholes
may develop abruptly (over a period of hours) and
cause catastrophic damages. They occur where the
covering sediments contain a significant amount of
clay. Over time, surface drainage, erosion, and
deposition of sinkhole develop into a shallower bowl-
shaped depression.
Cover-collapse sinkholes
Signs of Impending
Sinkholes
Sinkholes rarely strike without giving
some warning in the surrounding
environment or in a nearby home.
Here are some signs to watch for they
may indicate a problem about the
present and imminent danger of
sinkhole:
• Trees or fence posts that tilt or fall
Foundations that slant

• New small ponds that appear after rain

• Cracks in the ground

• Sudden drainage of a pond

• Rapid appearance of a hole in the ground

• Dips, depressions, slopes that appear in a yard

• Dead patches of grass or plants

• Sinkholes in the neighborhood

• Wilted vegetation in a limited area

• Well water that is discolored or contaminated

with debris

• Cracking or buckling of home's concrete slab

• Presence of odd bugs like slugs and centipedes

in the home

• Earthy odor in home after rain • New or

widening cracks

• Separation between walls and ceiling or floors

• Cracks in interior walls

• Cracks around door and window frames

• Cracked grout between tiles Cracked tiles

• Stair step cracks in blocks or bricks

• Uneven floors, warping of hardwood, bulging or

sagging sections

• Doors or windows that don't open or close

easily

• Cracks in sheetrock near doors or windows

Precautionary
Measures
 Sinkhole formation cannot really be
predicted, but there are things people
can watch out for and precautions
that can be taken.
1.) Watch for signs of water
disappearing from the
surface (for example, the
sudden loss of a steam or
retention pond).

2.) If a sinkhole occurs in an

area of traffic, barricade it
to prevent motorists or
pedestrians from getting
too close to it. Remember
that the size can continue
to increase, so barricade it
with ample room to spare.
3.) Check fields before
undertaking machine-
related activities, such as
haying or harvesting.

4.) Keep tractors and heavy

machinery far enough away
from the sinkhole, since the
ground near the edge can
easily give way. It is
recommended that
machinery stay at least as
far from the edge as the
hole is deep.
5.) Sinkholes will be more
prevalent during times of
increased and rapid rainfall,
such as with the type of
rains occurring during a
hurricane.

6.) Call emergency hotlines

and advise them of the
sinkhole and of the hole
which is near utility lines or
in a roadway.
7.) Restrict access to the
hole.

8.) Don't get too close to or

go down into the hole.

9.) Do not allow

unauthorized or
inexperienced persons to
investigate the sinkhole.
 Summary
In summary, unfortunately, even
though sinkholes form so slowly,
their formation is not always visible
on the surface. What really makes
them dangerous is the fact that
they’re really unpredictable. They
form so slowly, that without
thorough geological or geophysical
research and knowledeg, you can’t
really tell if something’s changing —
this is why collapses have dramatic,
unexpected effects. However, we
can know which areas are more
prone to sinkhole formation and the
factors that contribute to the
development, this can help us be
more prepared.
The End
Do you have any questions?