Types of Sinkholes

Sinkholes can be categorized into three different common types Dissolution, Cover-subsidence, and Cover-collapse.

Galloway, Jones, Ingebritsen, 1999

Dissolution occurs where the soil cover is thin and highly permeable. This condition allows the water to flow through the upper part of cracks or fractures and widen them to form a jagged-karst surface. Some of the soil is moved down through the cracks leaving a pond at the top (Galloway, Jones, Ingebritsen, 1999, p. 127; Hyndman David, Hydman Donald, 2017, p. 237) .

The limestone joints allow rainfall and surface water to percolate and dissolve the carbonate rocks, which are carried away from the surface. 



Cover-subsidence sinkholes are characterized by their covering sediment which contains sand. This type of sinkholes usually to develop gradually. In addition, there can be numerous sinkholes due to the soil slowly filling and expanding the fractures and cavities in the limestone. The formation of cover-subsidence sinkholes occurs when granular sediments of surface ground go through the openings of carbonate rock. Then the vacated spaces are filled with the overlying sediments. Soon after there is a noticeable depression in the land surface that can be from inches to several feet in depth and diameter (Galloway, et al., 1999, p. 127; Hyndman David, Hydman Donald, 2017, p. 238). 

Galloway, Jones, Ingebritsen, 1999

 Cover-collapse sinkholes are considered the most dangerous. This type of sinkholes give little or no warning, they can be formed in a matter of hours. They are attribute the most catastrophic damaged out the three categories. In addition, this sinkholes are considered to cause the most financial damage. They can take out roads, parking lots, houses and even bigger structures.

This type of sinkholes are formed as water flows through and removes carbonate rock creating a cavity that its hold in place by asphalt, concrete or other surface material. Eventually the roof of the cavity collapses abruptly, creating a sudden and dramatic sinkhole (Galloway, et al., 1999, p. 127-128; Hyndman David, Hydman Donald, 2017, p. 238).

Galloway, Jones, Ingebritsen, 1999

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Works Cited