Sinkholes are yet another terrifying, deadly, and unexpected act of nature that can wreak havoc on local residents, causing massive craters up to 100 ft deep and wide at any given time, and often without warning. But before you're convinced that at any moment the ground will open up beneath your feet and plunge ye unsuspecting mortals into the abyss, the scientific definition of a sinkhole means that it only exists where limestone is present, which means that as a volcanic region, Idaho is relatively safe.
Most of the time.
While a true sinkhole forms when rainwater seeps through a porous bedrock; given time, these pores become larger and weaker, resulting in a collapse of unpredictable proportions. The vast majority of Idaho is formed of basaltic and less porous rock which does not dissolve he way limestone does; however, sinkholes can also be created by an underground lava tube collapse or the weakening of soil substructure by burrowing animals, both of which the Snake River Basin and surrounding areas have a great deal of. But never fear! As this list shows, Idaho's sinkholes are few and far between. Here are just a few of Idaho's most infamous incidents:
1. Mountain Home
Not much is known about this sinkhole on the outskirts of the Mountain Home desertscape, but it is large and cavernous enough to have become quite the weekend party spot.
2. Post Falls, 2010
A sinkhole developed in Post Falls at Highway 41 when a water main began leaking, causing a chasm around 4 X 3 and two feet deep. Fortunately, nobody was injured and crews repaired the damage quickly.
3. Idaho Falls, 2014
A massive 17-foot sinkhole formed in downtown Idaho Falls, situated beneath three separate railroad bridges. While nobody was injured, the incident occurred just a few months after the catastrophic crash of a crane through the weakened roof of a parking garage, both presumably due to the excessive rainfall runoff.
4. Hayden Lake, 2014
A sinkhole near Hayden Lake swallowed two cars who happened upon the 10 x 8 chasm in the middle of the night. No life-threatening injuries were sustained, but the hole was deep enough (approximately 8 feet) that both cars had to be lifted out. Authorities discovered the cause to be burst culvert, which washed out the entire width of the road.
5. Melba, 2012
A sinkhole on Butte Road claimed the life of a Melba woman after she drove into the 20-foot wide crater around 4 a.m. Oddly enough, this sinkhole was formed by tunneling gophers, which allowed nearby irrigation water to flood underneath the road, collapsing the asphalt.
6. Nampa, 2010
An observant citizen caught this small sinkhole before it could cause any major damage. On the surface, the impression appeared to be a minor pothole, but like most sinkholes, the damage below the road was a more extensive 3 foot crater.
We're fortunate to live in an area where sinkhole conditions and occurrences are rare, and that those that have formed were not as catastrophic as those back east.
Have you ever witnessed a sinkhole or sudden collapse of Idaho landscape? Share your experiences with us!
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