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Pictures: Giant Sinkhole Pierces Guatemala
nationalgeographic ^ | June 1, 2010 | Ker Than

Posted on 06/02/2010 9:39:30 AM PDT by JoeProBono

The appearance of a massive sinkhole in Guatemala City , Guatemala, on Sunday is thought to have been triggered by tropical storm Agatha, a violent tempest that struck Central America over the weekend.

From photographs, the new Guatemala sinkhole appears to be about 60 feet (18 meters) wide and about 300 feet (100 meters) deep, said James Currens, a hydrogeologist at the University of Kentucky—which explains how the sinkhole was reportedly able to swallow an entire three-story building.

Sinkholes can form when water-saturated soil and other particles become too heavy and cause the roofs of existing voids in the soil to collapse, Currens said.

Another way sinkholes can form is if water enlarges a natural fracture in a limestone bedrock layer. As the crack gets bigger, the topsoil gently slumps and develops into a sinkhole.

In either case, the final collapse can be sudden, Currens said.


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Chit/Chat; Weather; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: guatemala; sinkhole
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1 posted on 06/02/2010 9:39:30 AM PDT by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono

In before the 1st on this 500th posting of the same story ...


2 posted on 06/02/2010 9:40:12 AM PDT by Scythian
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To: JoeProBono

The said it is 30 stories deep. But it looks even deeper.


3 posted on 06/02/2010 9:44:05 AM PDT by Nachum (The complete Obama list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: Nachum

Whoa. Now THATS a sinkhole.


4 posted on 06/02/2010 9:46:09 AM PDT by Lobsterback
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To: JoeProBono

Finally! A place for Obama to put his approval ratings!


5 posted on 06/02/2010 9:47:53 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: JoeProBono

That must be where they mean when they say “stick it where the sun don’t shine”! Obama should try to get to the bottom of things on this.


6 posted on 06/02/2010 9:52:56 AM PDT by BruCru (I think, therefore I am conservative!)
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To: JoeProBono

Sign says 'stop' and they mean it!

7 posted on 06/02/2010 9:53:19 AM PDT by 6SJ7 (atlasShruggedInd = TRUE)
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To: Nachum

where did you see that? I have been trying to figure out how deep it was.


8 posted on 06/02/2010 9:54:36 AM PDT by CharlieOK1 (I refuse to pay for DUmmies' Healthcare!!!)
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To: AngieGal

ping


9 posted on 06/02/2010 9:55:39 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: CharlieOK1

I read it in a news report in Vanity Fair.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/06/what-caused-the-guatemala-sinkhole-and-why-is-it-so-round.html


10 posted on 06/02/2010 9:58:47 AM PDT by Nachum (The complete Obama list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: JoeProBono; All
worm in sink hole

Moments before these pictures were taken...

11 posted on 06/02/2010 10:00:57 AM PDT by missnry (The truth will set you free ... and drive liberals Crazy!)
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To: JoeProBono

Looks like someone divided by zero...


12 posted on 06/02/2010 10:01:18 AM PDT by JRios1968 (The real first rule of Fight Club: don't invite Chuck Norris...EVER)
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To: amom

note to self: FR Thread re Guatemala sinkhole of 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1791473/posts


13 posted on 06/02/2010 10:02:58 AM PDT by amom (Proud Blue Star Mom of a deployed US Army tanker)
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To: JRios1968

LOL!


14 posted on 06/02/2010 10:03:06 AM PDT by FourPeas (What do you call a peaceful Hamas protester? Deceased.)
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To: Nachum

Is it really 30 stories deep? What do they do with something like that?


15 posted on 06/02/2010 10:03:06 AM PDT by Beowulf9
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To: JoeProBono

16 posted on 06/02/2010 10:06:44 AM PDT by Eepsy (www.pioacademy.org)
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To: Beowulf9

I read 30 meters deep.


17 posted on 06/02/2010 10:06:59 AM PDT by Rennes Templar (Illegal immigration is destroying America, look what it's done to the White House)
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To: Beowulf9

I have no idea. It’s real scary looking though.


18 posted on 06/02/2010 10:07:37 AM PDT by Nachum (The complete Obama list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: JoeProBono

One hell of a ride on the potty!


19 posted on 06/02/2010 10:08:58 AM PDT by spunkets
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To: Joe 6-pack

I’d rather he’d put his office there.


20 posted on 06/02/2010 10:14:01 AM PDT by greatplains
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