How to Identify Sink Holes in the Field
Sinkholes are part of a natural weathering process in which subterranean bedrock has deteriorated, normally associated with the depletion of an underground water source. Sinkholes can be caused by human activity from underground drilling and water drainage, but sinkholes can form anywhere over surfaces where the bedrock underneath the ground has been weakened. Learning how to identify a sinkhole is essential in outdoor or wilderness navigation as sinkholes can pose a danger.
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Instructions
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Look for large depressions in the ground. These depressions may seem innocent at first. However, on a wide area of flat land, a large depression will appear peculiar and may be an indication that a sinkhole is starting to form.
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Look for large holes in the ground that appear to have collapsed edges. The Earth around the edges of the hole will appear crumbled and if you were to walk near the edge, the edge itself may collapse.
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Look for large pools of water away from any obvious water source. The pool of water may appear in the bottom of a larger crater. This is a tell-tale sign of a sinkhole and should not be approached.
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Observe the landscape near treelines. If you see trees that appear to bend toward one another and a corresponding depression in the ground, there could be a sinkhole in formation in this area.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to enter into a sinkhole area. It is easy to get trapped.
Some sinkholes appear to have caves in or around them--do not attempt to explore the area as the sinkhole is very unstable and can collapse at any time.
