In a dramatic turn of events, a vast sinkhole measuring 100 feet wide and 30 feet deep opened up in a soccer field at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois.
The incident occurred on June 26, just a short while after amateur teams had finished using the field for practice, narrowly averting potential disaster.
“Gordon Moore Park is temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is being completed,” stated Alton Parks and Recreation in a Facebook post.
The sinkhole’s appearance has been linked to the collapse of a limestone mine located beneath the park.
“No one was on the field at the time, and no one was hurt, and that’s the most important thing,” informed Alton’s mayor, David Goins, through Facebook.
Case of ‘surface subsidence’
New Frontier Materials Bluff City, the operator of the underground limestone mine in Alton, Illinois, confirmed that the sinkhole resulted from “surface subsidence.”
“The New Frontier Materials underground mine in Alton, IL today experienced a surface subsidence and opened a sink hole at Gordon Moore City Park,” stated the operator.
Reportedly, the mine is situated approximately 25 miles north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
Notably, the incident has also been reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
“Because this incident is the result of an aggregate mining operation, the state of Illinois relies on your office to address an incident of this type,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wrote to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
“The people of Alton deserve safety and should be quickly alerted to any information regarding this collapse and potential future impacts.” he added.
Investigations and assessments
The dramatic near-miss has highlighted the potential dangers of sinkholes, particularly in areas with underlying limestone formations.
Brian Hoener, director of the Marquette Catholic High School athletic club, expressed relief that the collapse did not occur during recent soccer practices, which recently saw 60 to 70 people on the field.
Alton officials are now awaiting assessments from geologists and engineers to determine the cause of the collapse and ways to prevent future incidents.
Sinkholes, while often forming gradually, can collapse suddenly, posing significant risks in urban areas. They are a depression in the ground with no natural external drainage. Rainwater collects in the sinkhole and typically drains into the subsurface.
Sinkholes can vary widely in size and depth, ranging from a few feet to hundreds of acres and from less than 1 to over 100 feet deep. Their shapes can also vary, with some resembling shallow bowls or saucers and others having vertical walls. Some sinkholes even hold water, forming natural ponds.
Sinkholes are a growing concern
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of understanding and mitigating the risks associated with sinkholes, particularly in areas prone to their formation.
While the dramatic scene at Gordon Moore Park may seem like an anomaly, sinkholes are a common occurrence in many parts of the United States, including Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.
Besides, the US Geological Survey highlights the growing concern that the rise in global warming is a significant factor contributing to the increased frequency of sinkhole occurrences.
Studies have revealed a strong correlation between rising temperatures and sinkhole collapses, particularly in Florida, where a significant increase has been observed in recent years.
“The effects of such on development and spread of sinkholes has been largely overlooked,” it expressed.
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