Sinkholes. Frightening, fascinating and awe inspiring to say the least. They are topical depressions or holes created by the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks. And they are everywhere. They can form slowly or instantly, making them all the more intimidating.
Here are some of the most amazing sinkholes across the world.
1. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is home to this beautiful sinkhole that was formed when an underground cavern collapsed. Many fossils have been found in this sink, including shark teeth, marine shells and the remains of extinct animals. It is these bones that inspired the name “Devil’s Millhopper,” suggesting that the animals entered the sink on their way to meeting the devil.
2. The Great Blue Hole is an underwater sink hole located just off of Belize. It measures 984 feet across and 410 feet deep. Originally a limestone cave, this sinkhole was formed as the ocean level rose, collapsing the roof of the cave. Divers can see many types of tropical fish in this sinkhole, as well as a variety of sharks.
3. Venezuela houses several sinkholes, known as the Sarisarinama holes. These holes are approximately 382 yards wide by 382 yards deep. The origin of these sinkholes is unknown. Each one contains unique plants and animals that have been seen no where else in the world.
4. You can find a rather large sinkhole in Russia that measures 218 yards deep and 43 yards wide. It was formed in 1986 and continues to get bigger each year.
5. Not known for its beauty, the Agrico Gypsum Stack sinkhole opened up under an area that contained toxic industrial waste. This sinkhole was nicknamed, “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” and cost millions of dollars to clean up.
6. The Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole can be found in Sedona, Arizona on the Soldiers Pass Trail. The upper walls are made of sandstone while the lower are shaly siltstone. It probably formed as a result of a collapse of nearby limestone caverns.
7. And yet another devilishly named sinkhole, the Devil’s Sinkhole in Rocksprings, Texas is the summer home to nearly four million bats. People wait until sundown to watch these bats emerge from the sinkhole. Yes, that is four million bats flying around you!
8. And possibly the most frightening sinkhole was created in Guatemala after Tropical Storm Agatha in 2010. This sinkhole swallowed a three story building and is estimated to be 200 feet deep and 100 feet wide.
This is a video of a sinkhole actually being formed in Daisetta Texas. Simply amazing!
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