Large and growing earth crack causes severe damage to Aponte, Colombia

A giant earth crack in the Aponte village in Nariño, Colombia has caused huge damage to local roads and houses and affected at least 210 families so far.

The crack in the earth is an unexplained geological phenomenon which first occurred in the area in early 2015, as a small fissure. The small fissure has since spread and is now a large earth crack about 1 200 m (3 937 feet) long, 50 cm (1.6 feet) wide and up to 4 m (13.1 feet) deep at some places.

Video credit: Miguel Córdoba

The phenomenon has already caused severe damage to the local roads and houses. About 170 homes in the area are ruptured and had to be evacuated. The crack is still growing and causing further damage to the local infrastructure. 

The fissure increased by 20 to 50 mm (0.8 to 2 inches) since December 24, 2015, according to monitoring results of ten families residing in the area. During some days, when the separation is pronounced and reaches 1 cm (0.4 inches), the sounds similar to wind blowing out of the ground can be heard.

A team of experts has been sent to investigate the site. However, the phenomenon remains unexplained for now.

Featured image: Earth crack, Aponte, Colombia. Image credit: Miguel Córdoba