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Giant Sinkhole Swallows Corvettes in Kentucky: 9 Other Crazy Sinkholes
Like many of you, we took one look at Wednesday's news about a gigantic sinkhole swallowing 8 Corvettes in Kentucky and thought "Thank God we don't live anywhere near any such gigantic, scary sinkhole." Well, at least, we're pretty sure we don't. That's the most terrifying thing about sinkholes — they tend to creep up on people. You're just driving along minding your own business, and the next thing you know ... the side of the street has been swallowed by a giant abyss.
Here are nine other truly terrifying (but weirdly mesmerizing) sinkholes.
Clermont, Florida
In August 2013, this 60-feet-wide sinkhole opened up right underneath the Summer Bay Resort in Clermont Florida, just 10 minutes away from Disney World. Fortunately, the 35 guests staying in the buildings were evacuated before the 15-feet-deep chasm swallowed one three-story building and caused yet another to begin sinking.
Midwest City, Oklahoma
After prolonged rains caused flash flooding in Oklahoma last June, this terrifying 200 by 60 foot gaping hole opened up along Highway 62, swallowing an entire lane of the major state thoroughfare. At the time, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation estimated it would cost $575,000 to repair the damage.
Chicago, Illinois
This sinkhole in South Side Chicago, measuring 20 by 40 feet, was caused by a break in a 98-year-old water main. The hole swallowed three cars, sending one driver to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
Great Blue Hole, Belize
A little relief from all the devastation, please: here is one of the world’s most beautiful sinkholes. The Great Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s more than 1000 feet wide and 400 feet deep, and is often counted in the top 10 scuba diving sites in the world.
Los Angeles, California
When this 10 by 15 feet hole opened up in the street in LA’s Valley Village neighborhood in 2009, it managed to suck in a 22-ton fire truck. The firefighters were responding to a call about flooding, which evidently came from the water main break that was responsible for the sinkhole.
Seattle, Washington
A sewer pipe break was responsible for this sinkhole, which opened up on Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle in 1957. The huge chasm was 200 feet long, 120 feet wide, and 60 feet deep. Incredibly, no homes were damaged and nobody was injured when it opened up. It took two years to complete the repairs.
Dean's Blue Hole, Bahamas
At 600 feet deep, Dean’s Blue Hole is the world’s deepest blue hole (sinkhole filled with water). Another favorite with divers, you should check out this incredible video of free diver Guillaume Nery base jumping there.
La Jolla, California
Some call it a sinkhole, some call it a landslide. In 2007, this 240 feet by 200 feet hole opened up on Soledad Mountain Road in the upscale Mount Soledad neighborhood of La Jolla. Several dozen homes were evacuated, with nine subsequently deemed uninhabitable.
Guatemala City, Guatemala
This spine-chilling sinkhole at a crossroads in Guatemala City is 300 feet deep (yes, 300) and 60 feet wide. The underlying cause of this giant hole is largely man-made, which calls into question whether it can actually be called a “sinkhole.” Its appearance was brought on by nature: tropical storm Agatha caused it.
Experts say it doesn’t technically deserve the name “sinkhole” as it was largely man-made, but its appearance was triggered by rains from tropical storm Agatha.
