Essay On Sinkholes

There are many problems that would require a geologist to solve ranging from erosion of the soil, volcanic activity, seismic faults, rocks and plate tectonics and why the continents are moving, sinkholes and many others. One current problem that I have witnessed and read about from multiple sources is about sinkholes. In the past few years there have been many occurrences where sinkholes are occurring and causing a huge amount of damage to the environment; and have also cause many casualties. Sinkholes can be unexpected and can take a long time to develop, but when it happens nobody is prepared. Thus, it is important for a geologist to further study sinkholes, and the question asked would be; in what type of soil and rock does sinkholes usually occur in? Also what are possible ways to prevent sinkholes from occurring if a sinkhole does exist? My first hypothesis is that sinkholes may occur in soil and rock that is soft and wet. My second hypothesis is that sinkholes could occur in soil and rocks that are compact and dry because dryness over time can lead to cracks underground where water may easily seep through. A geologist would conduct tests that would include drilling into ground and testing the soil to identify sinkholes and find ways to prevent them from happening.

In my first hypothesis, I believe that sinkholes will occur in soil and rock that is soft and wet because sinkholes are known to be associated with limestone bedrock and limestone is easily dissolved by acidic groundwater. Thus, my hypothesis is that when soils and rocks that attract more water, it is easily for a sinkhole to develop because the soil will erode into open cracks or caverns in the ground. This in turn would lead to a surface collapse because the er...

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...tom of the Earth and burying him. Sinkholes develop when there is erosion in the ground and when the soil is frequently exposed to water. Also not only do sinkholes occur due to erosion, it happens due to what type of rock is in the soil such as limestone, gypsum, or dolomite. Water weakens the bedrock over time and then sinkholes will develop. Dryness can also lead to a weaken state of the soil. A geologist would be needed because they would be able to study more about sinkholes and could help map out where sinkholes might have a higher chance of occurring and in what type soil or rock. This can prevent damages as we will be forewarned and prevents casualties. We will be better prepare if and when a sinkhole might occur if geologists are given the time and funding need to solve this problem that is currently happening in the U.S. and to other parts of the world.