When Giant Sink Holes Attack. |
A sinkhole is a natural depression or
hole in the Earth's surface which may have various causes. Some are
caused by karst processes—for example, the chemical dissolution of
carbonate rocks or suffosion processes in sandstone. Others are formed
as a result of the collapse of old mine workings close to the surface.
Because of the terrifying speed with
which they sometimes appear, sink holes have been known to take lives,
vehicles and even buildings with them to the bottom of the earth.
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Sinkholes may vary in size from 1 to
600 m (3.3 to 2,000 ft) both in diameter and depth, and vary in form
from soil-lined bowls to bedrock-edged chasms. Sinkholes may be formed
gradually or suddenly, and are found worldwide. |
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Sinkholes
have been used for centuries as disposal sites for various forms of
waste. A consequence of this is the pollution of groundwater resources,
with serious health implications in such areas. The Maya civilization
sometimes used sinkholes in the Yucatán Peninsula as places to deposit
precious items and human sacrifices.
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mercredi 1 octobre 2014
When Giant Sink Holes Attack.
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