a depression in the ground caused by the collapse of underlying rock in which fluids collect; in a limestone region, sinkholes often drain into cave systems.
A circular, often funnel-shaped depression in the ground that forms when soluble rocks dissolve.
A depression formed by the collapse of a cavern roof.
A depression occurring in karst topography, often the result of the collapse of a cavern roof.
Strictly, a hole or doline (qv) which acts as a streamsink. Unfortunately, the word has become debased by common misuse as a synonym for a doline (qv), especially a collapse doline.
the point at which a surface stream sinks underground.
a circular depression occurring in an area of land formed on limestone, gypsum or other rocks by dissolution. It drains beneath the surface of the earth, its size is measured in meters or tens of meters and it is commonly funnel shaped.
A relatively shallow bowl- or funnel-shaped depressions ranging in diameter from a few feet to more than 3,000 feet. Generally formed by dissolution of and subsequent settlement of bedrock to form a depression, or collapse of shallow cave roofs to form a depression.
Crater formed when the roof of a cavern collapses; usually found in areas of limestone rock.
a depression in the ground communicating with a subterranean passage (especially in limestone) and formed by solution or by collapse of a cavern roof
a basin that forms when limestone is dissolved and the soil layer "falls" into the resulting depression
a depression in the earth's surface with subsurface drainage
a depression in the land surface resulting from the dissolution of the bedrock, and the subsequent collapse of overlying soil and rock
a hole in the ground, but a very special one, appearing anywhere rock dissolves, allowing the ground above it to sink
a large dissolution cavity that is open to the Earth's surface
a localized depression in the surface topography, usually caused by the collapse of a subterranean structure, such as a cave
a natural depression in the land that indicates a below-ground channel or cavern
a piece of ground that looks normal, but when weight is put on it it suddenly sinks
a portion of the underground stream system
a surface depression or hole created by the collapse of an underlying cave
A hollow place or depression in which water collects and goes underground, generally occurring in limestone regions and formed by solution or by collapse of a cavern roof.
A depression in the land surface caused when rainwater dissolves limestone near the ground surface or as a result of the roof collapse of an underground cave. Jump to Top
Collapse structure in the top of a limestone bed.
Steep-sided, enclosed depression linking to underground drainage systems in a limestone region
a hole caused by collapse of the land surface, commonly because underlying limestone rock has dissolved away.
Any closed depression in soil or bedrock formed by the erosion and transport of earth material from below the land surface, which is circumscribed by a closed topographic contour and drains to the subsurface. Morphologies of sinkholes formed in soluble rock include dissolution sinkhole or doline (gently sloping depression that is wider than it is deep), karst window (sinkhole exposing an underground stream), vertical shaft (depressions in bedrock much deeper than it is wide and roughly circular in plan), grike (depression in bedrock much deeper than wide and cruely shaped like a lense (lenticular in plan).
A surface depression in cave country. A sinkhole is produced when the roof of a cave collapses or when limestone rock underlying the soil is slowly dissolved by water.
A depression in the landscape where limestone has been dissolved.
A surface depression caused by a collapse of soil or overlying formation above fractured or cavernous bedrock.
A depression in the surface commonly found in in karst landscapes. Sinkholes often form where limestone or some other soluble rock is partially dissolved by groundwater, then collapses to form a depression. Sinkholes are often "bowl-shaped" and can be a few to many hundreds of meters in diameter. Also known as dolines.
The cavities in bedrock that are open to the atmosphere. These usually result from the collapse of overlying soil or geologic material.
A depression in the land surface that results from the collapse or slow settlement of underground voids produced by solution weathering. The rock being dissolved is normally limestone but can also be salt, gypsum or dolostone.
An opening in the earth created by either natural or man-made subterranean activities. For example, if a tunnel fails, it may create a sinkhole.
a natural cavity, a hole worn by water through a rock along a joint or fracture, commonly found in Karst (limestone) topography.
A limestone hole into which a stream disappears.
A circular depression in the land that forms when an underground cavern collapses.
A depression in a karst area, commonly with a circular pattern. Its drainage is subterranean, its size is measured in meters or tens of meters, and it is commonly funnel-shaped. From Glossary of Geology, 4th Edition, 1997, American Geological Institute. See: karst
sinkholes are "bowl-shaped" depressions in the fields created by caves collapsing below the ground. The sinkholes help guide rainwater and melting snow into underlying caves like a funnel. This is important environmentally because this can allow surface sewage, animal waste, pesticides, and other pollutants into the underground water supply that travels through an underground labyrinth of cave systems.
a funnel-shaped depression in the land surface through which surface water drains into underground channels.
n. A natural depression in the surface of the land caused by the collapse of the roof of a cavern or subterranean passage, generally occurring in limestone regions.
a depression in the land surface, usually round or funnel-shaped, that connects with a subterranean passage created by solution of limestone rocks by circulating ground water. Sinkholes may also form by collapse of a cavern roof.
a natural depression with an actual hole in it. May or may not have water flowing into it.
a depression in the Earth's surface caused by dissolving of underlying limestone, salt, or gypsum. Drainage is provided through underground channels that may be enlarged by the collapse of a cavern roof.
Sinkholes occur when earth on the surface collapses into a subterranean cavity that has formed in a limestone bed.
A cavity that forms in the ground when the substrate, usually limestone, dissolves.
a hole or depression in the ground caused by erosion of underground limestone
1. A natural depression or cavity in a land surface, generally occurring in limestone regions and formed by solution or by collapse of a cavern roof. 2. Popularly, a sudden slumping of the surface due to overpumping of the aquifer.
a funnel-shaped cavity formed in limestone regions by the removal of the rock through action of rain, ground water, or running water. [AHDOS
a depression in the surface caused by the dissolution of the rock beneath
A sinkhole, also known as a sink, shake hole, swallow hole, swallet, doline (in the Slovene language dolina means valley) or cenote, is a natural depression or hole in the surface topography caused by the removal of soil or bedrock, often both, by water. Sinkholes may vary in size from less than a meter to several hundred meters in diameter and depth, and vary in form from soil-lined bowls to bedrock-edged chasms. They may be formed gradually or suddenly, and are found worldwide.