Where does the dirt go?

Question

if there is a sinkhole

where does all the dirt go?

it can't just fall in the ground

can it?

Answer 1

Various physical processes can create sinkholes. Usually though, it involves natural processes of erosion. If there is a layer of clay in the soil, water that seeps into the ground will travel laterally above the clay (which does not absorb water) and transport the sediment under the surface.

Other times, human activity, such as trenching, pipelines, and mining can create areas underground that are void of material.

Answer 2

how bout a dust pan...

Answer 3

First water removes dirt creating a void, then the surface dirt falls into the cavity.

Answer 4

Depends what caused the sinkhole. Sometimes they are old mines and shafts or wells. Typically though, yes, the soil underneath was transported away by flowing water. Again, this could be man-made as in a leaking water main, or an underground stream or drainage channel. Or the rock below could have been dissolved by water. Lots of ways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinkhole

Answer 5

Where doesn't the dirt go?