Sinkhole in Guatemala City: Epic Superhero Battle Collateral Damage

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SUMMARY

The sinkhole in Guatemala City, which swallowed a three-story building, has sparked significant discussion regarding its formation. Geologist Sam Bonis argues that the term "sinkhole" is misleading, as the underlying geology consists of pumice fill from volcanic ash rather than solid bedrock. The hole's cylindrical shape raises questions about its natural formation, with many speculating it may have resulted from an underground cave's roof collapsing. This event highlights the geological complexities of the region and the potential for similar occurrences in areas with unstable ground.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of geological terms such as "sinkhole" and "pumice fill."
  • Knowledge of volcanic activity and its effects on land stability.
  • Familiarity with karst topography and its characteristics.
  • Basic principles of erosion and geological fault lines.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geological characteristics of Guatemala City and its volcanic history.
  • Learn about the formation and types of sinkholes, including "piping features."
  • Investigate the implications of urban development over unstable geological formations.
  • Explore case studies of similar geological events globally, such as the Great Blue Hole in Belize.
USEFUL FOR

Geologists, urban planners, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the geological phenomena and urban development challenges in volcanic regions.

  • #31
Borg said:
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

I think that COBRA is just testing their new Weather Dominator. :biggrin:
 
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  • #32
Borg said:
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

NO! Borg... It was good, It was really good. I was still slapped stupid from Lisab's picture :smile: and should have waited to comment on anything.
One can imagine my report cards from the two years of grammar school I attended:
"Does not play well with other children." :rolleyes:
 
  • #33
Somebody should buy it and make a commercial bungy jump into it
 
  • #34
the first links mentioned something about volcanic activity. old lava tube, maybe?
 
  • #36
I'm not gona believe this isn't photoshopped until I see it with my own eyes even then I'll probably still think somethings up.
 
  • #38
This is all over CNN, with video, it's real. I just can't get over the fact that it looks BOTTOMLESS! I realize it isn't, but for a deeply catholic nation, this must be one of those "god is pissed!" moments.
 
  • #39
Reminds me of the sacrificial well at Chichen Itza, Mexico, where many hapless were tossed in with their hearts carved out, followed by mounds of gold.
 
  • #41
Did anyone see a dragon or satan in that area lately?
 
  • #42
magpies said:
Did anyone see a dragon or satan in that area lately?

Well I heard "the devil went down to Georgia." But think he has been seen in the gulf waters lately. Why? You think that hole is some kind of portal? I thought that was downtown on wall street.
 
  • #43
A "piping feature", not a sinkhole, says geologist

The Guatemalan resident geologist Sam Bonis is exasperated that the hole in Guatemala city is called a "sinkhole" a term which, apparently, implies that the bedrock is essentially solid, having been gradually eaten away by the groundwater in unpredictable ways.

The ground beneath Guatemala city is actually mostly pumice fill, basically from volcanic ash.


Bonis was part of a 2007 team setting up recommendations after a similarly holey incident.
Thus, he thinks this disaster is as much about human fault, rather than a vengeful mother nature.

http://news.discovery.com/earth/dont-call-the-guatemala-sinkhole-a-sinkhole.html
 
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  • #44
Thank you for that arildno. Proton Soup mentioned the possibility of "volcanic activity" being something to do with it. I invested a lot of time reading about that yesterday. It's all very interesting.
But yet another accident because of human error?? How much of this already?
 
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  • #45
Lacy33 said:
Thank you for that arildno. Proton Soup mentioned the possibility of "volcanic activity" being something to do with it. I invested a lot of time reading about that yesterday. It's all very interesting.
But yet another accident because of human error?? How much of this already?

i believe guatemala is very poor, so much more to come, probably
 
  • #46
Proton Soup said:
i believe guatemala is very poor, so much more to come, probably

Having spent some time there, I can indeed confirm that they are VERY VERY poor, and predictive geology and city planning probably rates somewhere right behind alms for the poor. Guatemala City makes Mexico City look like the Paris Metro.
 
  • #47
Up date:
I give up!
 
  • #48
Lacy33 said:
Up date:
I give up!

Well, consider their sewerage, and water system, which is, if I remember, clay and sometimes even wooden. That would allow seeps to slowly erode the fill, especially in urban areas. Does that help at all?
 
  • #49
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0...d-by-what-to-do-with-giant-Guatemala-sinkhole

The country has some experience with large sinkholes, as it turns out. In 2007, a 330-foot-deep sinkhole opened up in Barrio San Antonio, just 15 blocks away from the current one in Ciudad Nueva. That sinkhole is thought to have been caused by a broken storm drain pipe that over time weakened and washed away the ground above it.