Sink hole

Florida sinkhole stops expanding after swallowing homes

They say residents have been allowed to return to four adjacent homes.

The sinkhole, which is 50m deep, is full of water, household chemicals and pieces of septic tanks, and may take months to drain.

Authorities have warned that the sinkhole may expand again, especially if it rains.

No one was injured in the two homes that were destroyed nor the other nine that were evacuated, said Kevin Guthrie, assistant Pasco County administrator for public safety.

     

Mine expert fears Ipswich sinkhole will grow

Ray and Lynn McKay woke up on Tuesday morning to discover the sinkhole, which grew throughout the day to about 8 metres in diameter.

The McKays said some of the earth fell into the pit of swirling water again this morning.

University of Queensland's Occupational Health and Safety in Mining Professor David Cliff said the site was unstable, with water eroding the surrounding topsoil.

"The concern is that this hole could get much bigger if the water in that hole has destabilised the strata underneath the surface," he said.

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