Sinkholes, a fascinating phenomenon in the geological realm, continue to attract observers with their unpredictable occurrences, manifesting in both gradual shifts and sudden collapses. The recent discovery of a sinkhole in a Chilean mining area near the municipality of Tierra Amarilla has prompted scientific research aimed at uncovering its origin and understanding the potential consequences of its continued expansion.
Scientists look into dives
The sinkhole was found near the municipality of Tierra Amarilla, which is located in Chile’s Atacama region, not far from a copper mine. After her discovery, the mayor of the area, Cristobal Zuniga, spoke to the media and gave a report.
“Yesterday, July 30, we received a report from a citizen that a sinkhole had formed in our community near the Alcaparrosa mine. We are concerned because as a community we have always been afraid that there are underground construction sites and mining deposits all around us. It is it’s something our community hasn’t seen before, and it’s still expanding and active.”
The initial diameter of the dive is listed as 25 meters or 82 feet. However, the subsequent investigation showed that it was actually about 32 meters or 105 feet. That’s 11 feet larger than an NBA basketball floor to put things into perspective!
Work has been suspended.
A Massive #sinkhole has been discovered near a copper mine in Tierra Amarilla, #Chile. Incredible😮pic.twitter.com/nZzWnm9gyY
— Auron (@auron83591234) August 3, 2022
Lundin Mining Corporation is the company that operates the mine. They claim no one was injured when the sub sank. Likewise, no equipment was damaged. They verified in the media that all mining has been suspended indefinitely.
“Once discovered, the area was sealed off and the appropriate regulatory authorities were notified. Personnel, equipment, and infrastructure were not affected,” Lundin Mining Corporation said in a statement. Since its discovery, the surface sinkhole has remained stable. In order to determine the cause of the event, Minera Ojos del Salado is collecting data and performing a technical analysis.” They added that “the area was immediately isolated and the relevant regulatory authorities informed.”
Other known sinkholes
Downfalls are not uncommon. They have happened all over the world and all of them are attracting people’s interest. Blue holes are sinkholes that occasionally appear in the ocean. A number of sinkholes have gained international recognition as must-see destinations for travelers.
Montezuma Well is a remarkable prehistoric sinkhole located in Arizona. The well was created when a limestone tunnel collapsed 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. It is currently 17 meters deep and generates about a million gallons of water per day.
Israel’s Dead Sea contains a number of dive sites. In this case, climate change plays a role in creating sinkholes that do not occur naturally.
Over the past fifteen years, more than a thousand dives have been created in the Dead Sea. Salt deposits under the sea coast are combined with fresh water due to a drop in sea level.
As a result, the ground is sinking.
There are certain dips that provide breathtaking visuals.
similar to that in Mexico, next to Chichen Itza, a Mayan city ruin. The sinkhole, known as Ik-Kil, is 197 feet in circumference and 131 feet deep, briefly. This geothermal sinkhole is a haven for plant and animal life, and locals and visitors alike enjoy swimming in the azure waters below.
In the field of geological phenomena, sinkholes have attracted worldwide attention, the occurrences of which ranged from gradual to sudden collapses. The recent discovery of a sinkhole in a Chilean mining area near the municipality of Tierra Amarilla has triggered an investigation to uncover its origin and assess the likelihood of continued subsidence.
The sinkhole, located in Chile’s Atacama region near a copper mine, was first reported on July 30 and has raised concerns among local residents. Cristobal Zuniga, the mayor, expressed the community’s concern about the presence of underground structures and mining deposits, considering it an unprecedented event that continues to expand dynamically.
Originally estimated to be 25 meters (82 ft) in diameter, subsequent examinations revealed an increased size of approximately 32 meters (105 ft). Dimensions larger than an NBA basketball court underscore the scale of the geological phenomenon. Operations at the mine, which is managed by Lundin Mining Corporation, have been suspended as a precautionary measure.
While Lundin Mining Corporation assured that no person or equipment was harmed, they immediately closed the affected area and notified regulatory authorities. The surface depression has remained stable since its discovery, prompting Minera Ojos del Salado to conduct data collection and technical analysis to determine the underlying causes.
Sinkholes, while not uncommon, continue to attract worldwide interest, from blue holes in the oceans to famous sinkholes like Arizona’s Montezuma Well and the climate-change-influenced Dead Sea sinkholes. The allure of these geological formations extends to visually stunning sites, such as Mexico’s Ik-Kil Crater near Chichén Itzá, which lures locals and visitors alike to explore the azure waters and vibrant ecosystem. As scientists delve into the mystery of the Chilean sinkhole, it stands as a testament to the continued exploration and fascination with Earth’s geological wonders.