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A sinkhole, also known as a sink-hole, sink, swallow hole, shakehole, swallet or doline, 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.
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. The different terms for sinkholes are often used interchangeably.
Bimah sinkhole was formed in limestone by a collapse of large cave chamber. Earlier locals believed that this hole was formed by meteorite ("piece of Moon").
The sinkhole is approximately 50 by 70 m large, 20 - 30 m deep. At the bottom is located deep blue-green lake with a heap of rock - remnants of the collapse.
Municipality has developed a park around the sinkhole, there is built concrete stairway leading to the lake. Locals and tourists often enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake.
Most likely the sinkhole is connected to the 600 m distant sea. Top layer in the lake is crystal clear, but at the depth of some 8 m water has sulphuric taste due to sulphur oxidizing bacteria and is less clear.
Sinkholes also form from human activity, such as the rare but still occasional collapse of abandoned mines in places like Louisiana. More commonly, sinkholes occur in urban areas due to water main breaks or sewer collapses when old pipes give way. They can also occur from the overpumping and extraction of groundwater and subsurface fluids.
Sinkholes can also form when natural water-drainage patterns are changed and new water-diversion systems are developed. Some sinkholes form when the land surface is changed, such as when industrial and runoff-storage ponds are created; the substantial weight of the new material can trigger an underground collapse of supporting material, thus causing a sinkhole.
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. The different terms for sinkholes are often used interchangeably.
Bimah sinkhole was formed in limestone by a collapse of large cave chamber. Earlier locals believed that this hole was formed by meteorite ("piece of Moon").
The sinkhole is approximately 50 by 70 m large, 20 - 30 m deep. At the bottom is located deep blue-green lake with a heap of rock - remnants of the collapse.
Municipality has developed a park around the sinkhole, there is built concrete stairway leading to the lake. Locals and tourists often enjoy a refreshing bath in the lake.
Most likely the sinkhole is connected to the 600 m distant sea. Top layer in the lake is crystal clear, but at the depth of some 8 m water has sulphuric taste due to sulphur oxidizing bacteria and is less clear.
Sinkholes also form from human activity, such as the rare but still occasional collapse of abandoned mines in places like Louisiana. More commonly, sinkholes occur in urban areas due to water main breaks or sewer collapses when old pipes give way. They can also occur from the overpumping and extraction of groundwater and subsurface fluids.
Sinkholes can also form when natural water-drainage patterns are changed and new water-diversion systems are developed. Some sinkholes form when the land surface is changed, such as when industrial and runoff-storage ponds are created; the substantial weight of the new material can trigger an underground collapse of supporting material, thus causing a sinkhole.