Geophysicists Discover Growing Unstable Texas Sinkholes

Texas sinkholes have become an ordinary sight for the residents of Wink and its neighboring Kermit. But with the new radar images of the two giant sinkholes through an orbiting space satellite, there are revelations that seem to indicate imminent huge changes, particularly in terms of size.

Based on the Texas sinkholes map, the  massive holes were found to be unstable, with grounds subsiding which suggests that the holes may bring bigger danger someday. In a new study led by the geophysicists at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the two sinkholes, which are approximately a mile apart, seem to be expanding.  In addition, the areas surrounding the current sinkholes are not stable, with notable massive areas of subsidence having found through satellite radar remote sensing.

This geohazard assessment indicates the likelihood of new sinkholes, or one massive one, could form.  According to the research scientists, the area that is included in the geohazard map, is largely composed of gas and oil production installations and equipment, two communities and hazardous liquid pipelines. In addition to this, freshwater intrusion to the underground could melt the interbedded salt layers, thereby speeding up the sinkhole collapse that could become catastrophic, Seeker reported.

The formation of sinkholes in the world, or even sinkholes in the ocean, have been unpredictable in the past. However, satellite remote sensing will provide significant ways to determine the geohazard expansion of the existing sinkholes as well as the possible formation of new sinkholes. By closely monitoring these sinkholes and designing the level of change, the possible sinkhole development may be predicted.

Following the study on the Texas sinkholes 2015 and Texas sinkholes 2012, the geophysicists are gathering additional high-resolution satellite information over the sinkholes and nearby regions to monitor development and collapse.

The findings have been reported in the journal Remote Sensing while the research was backed by the NASA Earth Surface and Interior Program, the U.S. Geological Survey Land Remote Sensing Program and the Shuler-Foscue Endowment at the Southern Methodist University, according to Lab Manager.