In the northeastern Brazilian Amazon, massive sinkholes have opened, endangering over a thousand homes, prompting a state of emergency. Sinkholes result from natural soil erosion or issues like leaky pipes and mining. They occur mainly in areas with karst terrain, and the US experiences significant sinkhole damage, especially in states like Florida and Texas. Climate change exacerbates sinkhole frequency due to extreme weather events; droughts and intense rainfall weaken the ground, leading to collapses.
Sinkholes are depressions in the ground formed when water erodes soil. This can happen naturally when rainfall trickles through the soil, dissolving underlying bedrock.
In the United States, about 20% of the land is susceptible, with Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Pennsylvania experiencing the most significant damage.
Climate change is increasing the frequency of sinkholes by intensifying extreme weather events. Droughts lower the water table, removing subterranean support for the land above.
When followed by intense storms or heavy rain, which are also becoming more common due to climate change, the sudden weight and saturation of water can cause the weakened ground to collapse.
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