Giant Sinkhole Opens in Guatemala City, What Could Be The Cause?

June 1, 2010

     Last weekend a giant sinkhole opened up in Guatemala City. The sinkhole is 20-meters in diameter and about 30 meters deep. Reports have been confirmed that since 2005 million residents in the area have complained of rumblings, fissures, and sinking terrain.

          It is believed that sewers and water lines may have contributed to the formation of the sinkhole. The sinkhole’s destruction added to the tragic events in Central America from tropical storm Agatha.

          Augusto Lopez Rincon said he believed that excessive traffic caused by commercial trucks was to blame for the sinkhole unconfirmed reports that streets infrastructure was weakened by the storms.

          USGS,U.S. Geological Survey, studies show that new sinkholes have emerged recently as a result of land use practices such as groundwater pumping and from construction and development practices. In 2007, another sinkhole claimed three lives in Barrio San Antonio in Guatemala City. This sinkhole has not claimed any lives so far but citizens of Guatemala City should be cautious.

By: Taylor