SHOCKING footage shows a gaping hole open up in the middle of a football field.
The sinkhole was 100 foot wide and 30 feet deep.
Seats and a light pole were swallowed up but thankfully there we no injuries.
The incident was captured by security cameras in Alton, Illinois.
Local reports suggest it was caused by an underground mine owned by New Frontier Materials.
“No one was injured in the incident, which has been reported to officials at the Mine Safety Health Administration in accordance with applicable regulations,” said a New Frontier Materials representative.
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“Safety is our top priority. We will work with the city to remediate this issue as quickly and safely as possible to ensure minimal impact on the community.”
Sinkhole damages over the last 15 years cost on average at least $300 million per year, per the United States Geological Survey.
Sinkhole costs are not compiled nationally so the real figure is likely to be much higher.
The largest recent collapsed sinkhole is believed to be in Alabama.
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The Golly Hole is located in Shelby County.
The sinkhole, which collapsed in 1972, is 325 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 120 feet deep.
New research has revealed the world’s deepest blue hole, which plunges deeper than the Empire State Building, although its true depth remains a mystery.
The Taam Ja’ Blue Hole is located in the Chetumal Bay off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and extends at least 1,380 feet below sea level making it 390 feet deeper than the previous record holder.
The findings were published in the journal Frontier in Marine Science in April.
Taam Ja’ translates to “deep water” in Mayan and was first discovered in 2021 – blue holes also get their name due to the dark blue colour they take on from their depths.
What is a blue hole?
- Natural Formation: Ocean blue holes are large, underwater sinkholes or vertical caves formed by the erosion of carbonate rocks, such as limestone or dolomite, over thousands of years.
- Distinctive Appearance: They often appear as circular or oval openings in the ocean floor, with steep walls that can extend hundreds or even thousands of feet below the surface.
- Unique Ecosystems: Blue holes can harbour unique ecosystems due to their isolation from surrounding waters and limited exchange of water with the open ocean. They may host diverse marine life, including rare or undiscovered species.
- Mystery and Exploration: Many ocean blue holes remain unexplored or only partially explored, contributing to their mysterious allure. Scientists are often intrigued by these underwater features and conduct research to understand their geological and ecological significance.
- Challenges for Diving: Diving into ocean blue holes presents significant challenges due to their depth, often extreme water pressure, and limited visibility. Exploring these environments requires specialised equipment and training.
- Scientific Interest: Ocean blue holes provide valuable insights into geological processes, climate change, and the history of Earth’s oceans. Studying the sediments and fossils within blue holes can offer clues about past environmental conditions and ecosystems.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
