What is a Sinkhole?

In our state, many stabilization problems are caused by sinkholes.

These occur when bedrock is composed of a material that can dissolve, such as limestone.

Over time, groundwater seeps through the cracks and crevices in the limestone and dissolves enough rock to create an underground network of channels called conduits. When these conduits grow to a size that will permit the flowing ground water to also carry soil particles, a Cover Substance sinkhole is created. This is the most common kind of sinkhole and develops slowly as more and more surface soil is carried away to underground cavities. This is similar to sand flowing through an hourglass.

Another type of sinkhole is the one that makes headlines. The Cover Collapse sinkhole is rare, but dramatic. It happens quickly when the cover or "roof" above a large cavity dissolves to a point where it can no longer support the weight of the soil and/or structure above and it collapses into the large void.

Most sinkhole conditions can be effectively repaired if proper stabilization procedures are employed.