Nature & Environment
Massive Sinkhole Opens Up in Western Kansas Swallowing Pasture and Leaving Residents on Edge [VIDEO]
Benita Matilda
First Posted: Aug 05, 2013 06:01 AM EDT
A massive sinkhole, measuring 200 feet across and 90 feet deep, opened up overnight in Wallace County and it is still continuing to grow. The hole that lies in the middle of resident Dalton Hoss's lands has engulfed a whole pasture.
The residents have been asked to avoid the area as the sinkhole has huge cracks at the edges and it is expected to grow bigger in the days to come. The locals are baffled as there is no immediate explanation available.
Sheriff Larry Townsend is clueless about the safety of the area but is certain that the sinkhole may get larger. He also said that it was not caused by any large scale construction activity.
"Man had nothing to do with this," the sheriff stated. "There's no oil well around here, there are no irrigation wells anywhere near. This is something that just happened."
There are several natural factors that can cause sinkholes, thus not triggered by human activity.
The sinkhole is attracting curious visitors. Some are even hiking down into the hole. But the authorities have prohibited such activities for fear of accidents. Fortunately, the sinkhole did not swallow up any one.
Sinkholes have made headlines recently around the world. In March 2013, a sinkhole 20 feet to 30 feet across and 30 feet deep swallowed a Florida man that opened up beneath the bedroom in his Tampa home. Last month in Ohio, a woman's car was gobbled in by a sinkhole as she was driving in Toledo. Luckily this lady managed to escape.
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First Posted: Aug 05, 2013 06:01 AM EDT
A massive sinkhole, measuring 200 feet across and 90 feet deep, opened up overnight in Wallace County and it is still continuing to grow. The hole that lies in the middle of resident Dalton Hoss's lands has engulfed a whole pasture.
The residents have been asked to avoid the area as the sinkhole has huge cracks at the edges and it is expected to grow bigger in the days to come. The locals are baffled as there is no immediate explanation available.
Sheriff Larry Townsend is clueless about the safety of the area but is certain that the sinkhole may get larger. He also said that it was not caused by any large scale construction activity.
"Man had nothing to do with this," the sheriff stated. "There's no oil well around here, there are no irrigation wells anywhere near. This is something that just happened."
There are several natural factors that can cause sinkholes, thus not triggered by human activity.
The sinkhole is attracting curious visitors. Some are even hiking down into the hole. But the authorities have prohibited such activities for fear of accidents. Fortunately, the sinkhole did not swallow up any one.
Sinkholes have made headlines recently around the world. In March 2013, a sinkhole 20 feet to 30 feet across and 30 feet deep swallowed a Florida man that opened up beneath the bedroom in his Tampa home. Last month in Ohio, a woman's car was gobbled in by a sinkhole as she was driving in Toledo. Luckily this lady managed to escape.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone