Mother Earth Cited In Wild Drinking Binge

  • Thread starter Thread starter zoobyshoe
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the sudden disappearance of Lake Chesterfield in Wildwood, Missouri, due to a sinkhole. Participants share their reactions, experiences, and knowledge about sinkholes, including their implications and historical instances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express shock and concern over the rapid disappearance of Lake Chesterfield, describing it as "creepy" and disheartening.
  • A geologist explains that the sinkhole was formed by the erosion of limestone underground, suggesting it was a predictable event, likened to a "ticking time bomb."
  • Several participants share personal anecdotes about living near potential sinkhole areas, expressing unease about the phenomenon.
  • There is curiosity about the nature of sinkholes, with some participants seeking definitions and explanations.
  • Historical references are made to other sinkhole incidents, including the disappearance of Lake Peigneur due to drilling activities, which some participants find fascinating.
  • Humorous comments are made regarding the situation, including a playful take on "lake under" property and a fictional scenario involving mole men and flash floods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the unsettling nature of sinkholes and share a common curiosity about them. However, there is no consensus on the broader implications or the extent of risk associated with living near such geological features.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the geological processes involved in sinkhole formation and the historical context of similar events, indicating a need for further clarification and exploration of the topic.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in geology, environmental science, or local news related to natural phenomena may find this discussion relevant.

zoobyshoe
Messages
6,506
Reaction score
1,254
WILDWOOD, Mo. - To folks around Wildwood, it is nothing but freaky: an entire 23-acre lake vanished in a matter of days, as if someone pulled the plug on a bathtub.
Lake Chesterfield went down a sinkhole this week, leaving homeowners in this affluent St. Louis suburb wondering if their property values disappeared along with their lakeside views.
"It's real creepy," said Donna Ripp, who lives near what had been Lake Chesterfield. "That lake was 23 acres - no small lake. And to wake up one morning, drive by and it's gone?"
What once was an oasis for waterfowl and sailboats was nothing but a muddy, cracked pit outlined by rotting fish.
The sight had 74-year-old George English scratching his head.
"It's disheartening, getting out on your deck and seeing this," he said as he stood next to wife, Betty, and the "lakeside" condominium they bought in 1996 for its view. "One day it's a beautiful lake, and now, bingo, it's gone."
Some residents said they noticed that the lake, after being swelled by torrential rains weeks earlier, began falling last weekend. The Englishes said they noticed the drop-off Monday.
By Wednesday, the manmade lake - normally seven to 10 feet deep in spots - had been reduced to a mucky, stinky mess.
David Taylor, a geologist who inspected the lakebed Wednesday, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the sinkhole was formed when water eroded the limestone deep underground and created pockets in the rock. The sinkhole was "like a ticking time bomb."

MSNBC - Woe! Lake begone!
Address:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5191079/
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
That's interesting, and a bit funny. It's unfortunate for those nearby who lost it's scenery though.
 
With my luck, I probably live over a potential sinkhole. :frown: One of the offices I used to report to was in Chesterfield, outside of St Louis.
 
Sinkholes are scary. I've read about them eating houses and cars. This is the first time I've heard of one swallowing a lake.
 
What is a sinkhole? Geographically or whatever. I know what the other type is, we arent bereft of plumbing in my household.
 
jimmy p said:
What is a sinkhole? Geographically or whatever. I know what the other type is, we arent bereft of plumbing in my household.

http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/servs/pubs/geobits-pub/geobit7/geobit7.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Okey dokey, thanks for the link!
 
Also in the news:

Mole men community innundated by surprise flash flood! Morlochs glad to have new beachfront property.


Njorl
 
Instead of "lake front" property, they now have "lake under" property.
 
  • #10
November 20th, 1980
Texaco drills into Diamond Crystal Salt Mine operation under Lake Peigneur. A whirlpool one quarter mile in diameter formed, and the entire lake disappeared into a crater formed where the rig had been…

Taken from;
http://www.uno.edu/~gege/Easley/Essays/Jefferson_Island.html

Texaco = :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
  • #11
Wow, I never knew what happened to Diamond Crystal. When I was a kid, that was THE brand of salt everyone bought, then it just disappeared from store shelves. Little did I know they dissolved the company...literally!

If I owned the property next to that lake that disappeared, I think I'd be more worried about the extent of sinkholes in the area than that I just lost my lake view. Sink holes are scary things!
 
  • #12
BoulderHead said:
A whirlpool one quarter mile in diameter formed, and the entire lake disappeared into a crater formed where the rig had been…
That's a pretty amazing story.