Sinkhole in Guatemala City: Epic Superhero Battle Collateral Damage

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a sinkhole that appeared in Guatemala City, with participants speculating about its formation, implications, and the visual impact of the phenomenon. The conversation includes elements of humor and references to popular culture, particularly superhero narratives. Participants share images and links, expressing astonishment and concern regarding the event.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief about the authenticity of the sinkhole, questioning whether it looks real or is a photoshopped image.
  • Others note that such sinkholes can occur in karst areas, suggesting a natural geological process.
  • Several participants comment on the unusual roundness of the sinkhole, wondering how it could form so perfectly.
  • Some participants speculate that the sinkhole may not be a typical top-down feature, proposing that it could have formed from below, possibly due to a cave roof collapse.
  • There are observations about geological features surrounding the sinkhole, including vertical lines that some suggest could indicate a fault line and water saturation.
  • Participants express concern for the occupants of the swallowed building and reflect on the tragedy of the event.
  • Links to additional information and images are shared, with some participants expressing gratitude for the posts and updates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of the sinkhole, with multiple competing views on its formation and authenticity remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the need for further investigation into the geological conditions of the area, noting that assumptions about the sinkhole's formation may depend on local geological knowledge.

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Looks fake is this suppost to be real?
 
In karst areas such things happen.
 
We are happy someone posted this.
Wondering how this can be naturally made so perfectly round?
 
looks like one of those holes the Silver Surfer made in the Earth in Fantastic Four II


---that's going to take a lot of truckloads of dirt/garbage to fill in
 
I saw the photo on the news this morning and was astounded! They said it swallowed a 3-story building. So, while I'm completely amazed at the size of this thing, I also think of the tragedy of it for the occupants of that building.

It really does look like something from a cartoon. I too was surprised that something so deep was also so perfectly round. The roof of an absolutely HUGE cavern must have just opened up.

What do you do with something like that? Oh, wait, I think BP just found a hole big enough for all the oil and saltwater mix they're scooping out of the Gulf.
 
Moonbear said:
I saw the photo on the news this morning and was astounded! They said it swallowed a 3-story building. So, while I'm completely amazed at the size of this thing, I also think of the tragedy of it for the occupants of that building.

It really does look like something from a cartoon. I too was surprised that something so deep was also so perfectly round. The roof of an absolutely HUGE cavern must have just opened up.

What do you do with something like that? Oh, wait, I think BP just found a hole big enough for all the oil and saltwater mix they're scooping out of the Gulf.

yeah, the ground (the layering of strata) in the area must be unusually consistent all the way down to the cavern

--luckily the hole BP is trying to fill is smaller
 
More info here:
http://www.guatemalasinkhole.org/
 
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  • #10
I question whether this was actually a sink hole, because how could such a feature have been formed naturally?? If it were a sinkhole it would be cone shaped and be wider and more open at the top getting narrower with depth -- this looks pretty much like a cylindrical borehole. If this is natural, then how could such a feature form?

For my money this cannot be a "top-down" feature (which sinkholes are), because what on Earth would possesses someone to build something over a big old hole like that? There must've been ground there originally which covered the hole -- so builders suspected nothing unusual at this location. Surely then this feature must've formed from below and have been pushing its way up to the surface? I would guess this was an underground cave whose roof collapsed.

If you look to the left and right sides of the hole you will see vertical lines projecting vertically downwards. For my money those lines are a geological fault, along which water might have been able to flow (in fact if you look closely it looks like the rock either side of those lines is darker so could well be saturated with water -- which suggests to me that this IS a water bearing fault). That makes sense, because you need the water to get the erosion. What I can't figure out is how this feature is not more elongated in the direction of the fault. This is a very curious feature.
 
  • #11
billiards said:
I question whether this was actually a sink hole, because how could such a feature have been formed naturally?? If it were a sinkhole it would be cone shaped and be wider and more open at the top getting narrower with depth -- this looks pretty much like a cylindrical borehole. If this is natural, then how could such a feature form?

For my money this cannot be a "top-down" feature (which sinkholes are), because what on Earth would possesses someone to build something over a big old hole like that? There must've been ground there originally which covered the hole -- so builders suspected nothing unusual at this location. Surely then this feature must've formed from below and have been pushing its way up to the surface? I would guess this was an underground cave whose roof collapsed.

If you look to the left and right sides of the hole you will see vertical lines projecting vertically downwards. For my money those lines are a geological fault, along which water might have been able to flow (in fact if you look closely it looks like the rock either side of those lines is darker so could well be saturated with water -- which suggests to me that this IS a water bearing fault). That makes sense, because you need the water to get the erosion. What I can't figure out is how this feature is not more elongated in the direction of the fault. This is a very curious feature.

I'll take that bet
 
  • #14
I mean really would you even go near this thing? I'd be so worried about the rest of the city caving in with it.
 
  • #15
Holy crap, that thing looks photoshopped, it is so profoundly disturbing! I know it isn't, but it's still shocking. I've been in that city too... damn.
 
  • #17
As if the people of Guatemala don't have it hard enough, these poor people must have spent their last moments in abject terror. :(
 
  • #18
Here is one from 2007. It was also round?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070226-sinkhole-photo.html
 
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  • #19
edward said:
Here is one from 2007. It was also round?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070226-sinkhole-photo.html

OK! That's it.... KNOCK IT OFF WITH THAT SMOTTIN UP THERE!

omg, please don't smack me for that. :rolleyes:
 
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  • #21
Lacy33 said:
We are happy someone posted this.
Wondering how this can be naturally made so perfectly round?


3460ohx.jpg
 
  • #22
Ya know Lisa, I was thinking something like this but didn't want to say. We in trouble! :smile:
 
  • #23
LOL LISA!

Omg this is possibly one of the most incredible things I've ever seen on PF... in my life even. Unbelievable. At first I thought it was just photoshopped :smile:. On the website for updates posted it states only one confirmed death...
 
  • #24
Q_Goest said:
More info here:
http://www.guatemalasinkhole.org/

I asked for the coordinates and they posted them. Coordinates appear to be slightly east of the hole which is at the 2 o clock position in Chi's http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/dot-shot-sinkhole-in-guatemala-city/".

Update#3: A viewer was asking for the Guatemala Sinkhole Coordinates, and it is roughly in the north eastern part of the city at: 14° 39′ 7.5″ N, 90° 30′ 21.5″ W.
 
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  • #25
lisab said:
3460ohx.jpg

Tremors or Dune, I am laughing my ****s right off! I didn't think there was a funny to be found here; I was wrong. :)
 
  • #26
billiards said:
I question whether this was actually a sink hole, because how could such a feature have been formed naturally?? If it were a sinkhole it would be cone shaped and be wider and more open at the top getting narrower with depth -- this looks pretty much like a cylindrical borehole.
Tossing it into Photoshop for a brightness adjustment reveals it is, in fact, conical...
 

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  • #27
When I first saw the image, I too though it was a hoax/photoshop/something. It's too round and the tube seems too neatly sheared. But, um, what's it open into? That's a cavernous space below the tube, yes? So, it's, what? Anyone know?
 
  • #28
I can't believe that nobody made this connection.

[PLAIN]http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2010/6/1/634109771831533600-Andsoitbegins.jpg
 
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  • #29
Borg? I thought some folk were more worried about a "black hole" being created from collisions at CERN. If that is a "black hole" then even I might be able to do some physics. :approve:
 
  • #30
Lacy33 said:
Borg? I thought some folk were more worried about a "black hole" being created from collisions at CERN. If that is a "black hole" then even I might be able to do some physics. :approve:

I was waiting for someone to say that an accident at the LHC caused a particle stream to be directed at Guatemala or some such silliness to go along with the other pictures of cats and worms. This was the closest that I found. :-p