9 of the Craziest Sinkholes Around the World
Updated: Jul. 26, 2021It’s crazy how the earth can just open up beneath you!
20-foot sinkhole
Two vehicles fell into a 20-foot sinkhole in Studio City, California in February of 2017. No one was injured but one woman was in one of the cars that got swallowed and had to stand on the top of her car until firefighters lowered a ladder into the hole to rescue her.
The Dead Sea
Thousands of sinkholes appear around the Dead Sea every year due to decreasing sea levels—the water level of the Dead Sea is dropping more than three feet every year! Sinkholes appear when the salt water from the sea recedes and fresh groundwater dissolves layers of salt creating cracks under the earth that eventually collapse. Check out these naturally gorgeous rock formations around the world.
Bimmah sinkhole
Not all sinkholes are bad. The Bimmah sinkhole in Northern Oman is one of the world’s most beautiful natural sinkholes. A staircase was built into the 65-foot deep hole so that tourists can swim in the turquoise waters. Read up on these natural wonders you’ve probably never heard of.
Chicago spring storms
In the spring of 2013, a giant sinkhole formed in a residential neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. The earth opened up due to heavy rains and three cars were swallowed.
Road closed
A massive sinkhole formed on a main road in Rosenberg, Texas due to flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Learn about the secret features hidden in America’s natural landmarks.
Close call for firefighters
A 22-ton fire engine fell into a sinkhole in Los Angles in 2009. The hole was caused by a water main burst in the San Fernando Valley, which made the ground collapse.
Ocean sinkhole
This large underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize is known as the Great Blue Hole. It formed during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower. It’s over 1,000 feet wide and about 407 feet deep.
Swallowed car
A sinkhole caused by a blown water pipe swallowed a car in Wijchen, The Netherlands in March of 2018. Next, read about the most stunningly colorful natural wonders on Earth.
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