New burp and slough-in events reported at Louisiana sinkhole

Assumption Parish Police Jury reported a new slough-in event near Pad #3 at Louisiana sinkhole on March 31, 2014 as Texas Brine Co. released pressure from its failed salt dome cavern near the sinkhole.

The latest slough-in event came five days after six trees in the same area were pulled in the water on March 26th. Texas Brine was also releasing pressure from the cavern around the same time. A slight odor of hydrocarbons was reported in the Bayou Corne community. ​Seismic monitoring on March 27th indicated a low levels of subsurface activity near sinkhole/Oxy 3 following Wednesday sloughing event (this is a regular occurrence).

State regulators said they are trying to determine to what extent reducing pressure in the cavern is linked to recent slough-ins.

The following video shows slough-in event that occurred off of Pad 3 on March 31:

Video courtesy of Assumption Parish Police Jury

​Another flyover video was recorded the same day:

Video courtesy of Assumption Parish Police Jury

A new bubbling site was discovered on February 24, 2014 near the massive sinkhole. Officials said the new bubbling site was about 400 m (1/4 mile) north of the Gator Corner.

The Louisiana sinkhole, also known as Bayou Corne sinkhole and Assumption sinkhole, was discovered in August 2012 when Napoleonville salt dome, a naturally-occurring underground salt deposit, suddenly collapsed after months of unexplained seismic activity and mysterious bubbling. 

Since August 2012 the sinkhole grew from 1 to more than 25 acres (10 hectares or 100 000 square meters).

Read more:

• Louisiana sinkhole / Bayou Corne sinkhole (archive)
• A timeline of the most important events at the Bayou Corne sinkhole – Louisiana sinkhole (since May 2012)

Featured image: Assumption Parish Police Jury – Flyover video on March 31, 2014