In Surrey, England, a substantial sinkhole crisis has unfolded after two massive holes emerged along a residential street, resulting in the evacuation of about thirty homes as the county escalated the situation to a major incident status.
**Giant Sinkholes Cause Major Disruptions in Surrey, England**
**Giant Sinkholes Cause Major Disruptions in Surrey, England**
A sudden appearance of massive holes in Surrey prompts evacuations and concerns regarding infrastructure safety.
Authorities reported that the first hole appeared on Godstone High Street, quickly expanding to an alarming size. The underground geology, combined with potential water pipe issues and heavy rainfall, is believed to contribute to the sinkholes, raising flags about aging infrastructure in the area. Local residents share their concerns as they await more information regarding the safety of their homes.
A giant crater in the southeast English county of Surrey has enveloped part of a residential street, causing the county to declare a major incident. Here’s what we know.
What’s going on?
There’s a hole.
A what?
A hole. Actually, two holes.
The first hole appeared on Godstone High Street on Monday night and grew on Tuesday to 65 feet by 20 feet and 16 feet deep. The second hole on the other side of the road measures 16 feet by 16 feet and is also 16 feet deep. Fortunately, since Tuesday, both holes have stabilized and are no longer expanding.
What caused this?
The cause remains unclear, but geologists have some theories. The area is constructed on weakly cemented sandstones formed over 100 million years ago during the Lower Cretaceous period, which are susceptible to erosion from running water, according to Andrew Farrant, a geologist for the British Geological Survey. While issues of this nature are not common, sudden changes in ground composition caused by heavy rain or a water pipe burst can trigger collapses.
In this instance, a burst water main may have washed away underlying sandstone bedrock, or perhaps an old, unrecorded sand mine's collapse led to the water main's rupture, speculated Vanessa Banks, another geologist with the British Geological Survey. The ongoing housing development push in Britain increases strain on aging infrastructures, potentially exacerbating the situation.
Is anyone in danger?
While there are no immediate threats to life, evacuations from approximately 30 properties were necessary, according to Surrey County Council.
“Our house is not secure at all,” one evacuee, Noosh Miri, reported to the BBC. “At the moment we don’t know the extent of the damage, but we do know we won’t be going home for some time.”
A giant crater in the southeast English county of Surrey has enveloped part of a residential street, causing the county to declare a major incident. Here’s what we know.
What’s going on?
There’s a hole.
A what?
A hole. Actually, two holes.
The first hole appeared on Godstone High Street on Monday night and grew on Tuesday to 65 feet by 20 feet and 16 feet deep. The second hole on the other side of the road measures 16 feet by 16 feet and is also 16 feet deep. Fortunately, since Tuesday, both holes have stabilized and are no longer expanding.
What caused this?
The cause remains unclear, but geologists have some theories. The area is constructed on weakly cemented sandstones formed over 100 million years ago during the Lower Cretaceous period, which are susceptible to erosion from running water, according to Andrew Farrant, a geologist for the British Geological Survey. While issues of this nature are not common, sudden changes in ground composition caused by heavy rain or a water pipe burst can trigger collapses.
In this instance, a burst water main may have washed away underlying sandstone bedrock, or perhaps an old, unrecorded sand mine's collapse led to the water main's rupture, speculated Vanessa Banks, another geologist with the British Geological Survey. The ongoing housing development push in Britain increases strain on aging infrastructures, potentially exacerbating the situation.
Is anyone in danger?
While there are no immediate threats to life, evacuations from approximately 30 properties were necessary, according to Surrey County Council.
“Our house is not secure at all,” one evacuee, Noosh Miri, reported to the BBC. “At the moment we don’t know the extent of the damage, but we do know we won’t be going home for some time.”
