Lavender Hill residents watched in awe when a FAUN Rotopress garbage truck was swallowed by a sinkhole, a gob-smacking sighting that was caught on camera.
Watch Sinkhole swallows Lavender Hill garbage truck
Details about the incident were still sketchy when this article was published. However, eyewitnesses were left in awe when, seemingly out of the blue, a garbage truck doing its rounds was pulled beneath the soil on a busy road.
From what we understand, no injuries were reported in the incident and rescue services were at the scene diverting traffic and aiding in efforts to recover the FAUN Rotopress tanker from the sinkhole.
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Check out the video below:
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Eight possible factors that cause sinkholes
Sinkholes on tarred roads can occur due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors that lead to the weakening and collapse of the road’s surface.
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by the collapse of a surface layer, which can include roadways.
Here’s a detailed explanation of the various factors that can cause sinkholes on tarred roads:
1. Underlying Geology and Soil Composition
The geological characteristics of an area play a significant role in sinkhole formation.
Some regions have limestone, gypsum, or other soluble rock formations beneath the surface. Over time, groundwater can dissolve these rocks, creating voids or cavities.
When the overlying soil layers become too heavy or unstable, they can collapse into these voids, resulting in a sinkhole.
2. Water Erosion
One of the primary factors leading to sinkholes is water erosion. Water infiltrates the ground, gradually eroding and dissolving the underlying soluble rocks.
This process can take place over years or even decades. As the erosion progresses, the ground above becomes less stable, and the road’s foundation weakens.
3. Human Activities
Certain human activities can exacerbate sinkhole formation. Construction, excavation, and drilling activities can alter the natural water flow patterns underground.
Improper drainage or water management practices can also lead to an increase in groundwater accumulation, making the ground more susceptible to erosion and collapse.
4. Burst Water Pipes and Leaks
Leaking water pipes, sewer lines, or drainage systems can cause water to infiltrate the ground beneath a road.
This continuous flow of water can erode the soil and create voids, compromising the road’s stability and potentially leading to a sinkhole.
5. Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
Intense and prolonged rainfall can saturate the soil, increasing the weight on the road’s surface.
If the underlying soil becomes overly saturated, it can lose its ability to support the road, contributing to its collapse.
6. Improper Construction or Maintenance
Poor construction practices, inadequate compaction of soil layers, or improper drainage design during road construction can weaken the road’s foundation.
Similarly, a lack of regular maintenance can exacerbate existing issues, making the road more susceptible to sinkholes.
7. Subsidence
Subsidence occurs when the ground sinks or collapses due to factors such as mining activities, underground cavities, or the extraction of groundwater.
These subsidence events can weaken the road’s foundation and lead to sinkholes.
8. Natural Earth Movement
Natural geological processes, such as tectonic activity or shifts in the Earth’s crust, can create stress and fractures in the ground. Over time, these fractures can lead to the collapse of the road’s surface.