·

Massive sinkhole opens near Coromandel in Minas Gerais, Brazil

massive-sinkhole-opens-near-coromandel-in-minas-gerais-brazil

A massive sinkhole opened up on a farm near Alegre district in the municipality of Coromandel, Minas Gerais, Brazil this month. The region is known for its susceptible limestone.

The hole was discovered early November 6 by employees of a farm in which it opened. They said the sinkhole, between 20 and 30 m (65 – 98 feet) in diameter, opened overnight, in the middle of the soy field. The depth is estimated at 20 m (65 feet).

Federal University of Uberlândia geologists visited the sinkhole and concluded it is most likely caused by the dissolution of the underlying bedrock. Professor Adriano dos Santos said sinkholes in this region are common, adding that they usually appear gradually. "However, in this case, the sinkhole appeared suddenly and drew the attention of specialists," Santos said.

Coromandel sinkhole, Brazil - November 6, 2017

The sinkhole was discovered on the morning of November 6, 2017. Image courtesy Municipality of Coromandel, Diogo Tudela

Coromandel sinkhole, Brazil - November 6, 2017

Coromandel sinkhole, Brazil – November 2017. Credit: Diogo Tudela

Municipality of Coromandel officials said the area has since been isolated to prevent people and animals from falling in. Specialists will continue monitoring the hole until it stabilizes.

Santos said that a nearby tourist attraction, the "Poço Verde/Green Well" is an old sinkhole that has since turned into a small lake.

Featured image: Coromandel sinkhole November 2017. Image courtesy Municipality of Coromandel, Diogo Tudela

Share:

Commenting rules and guidelines

We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:

  • Treat others with kindness and respect.
  • Stay on topic and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way.
  • Do not use abusive or hateful language.
  • Do not spam or promote unrelated products or services.
  • Do not post any personal information or content that is illegal, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.

One Comment

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *