Fake and real sinkholes form in the same porous limestone underground
here in the Floridan Aquifer, and we get an explanation of that from
another limestone area in western New York.

Nalina Shapiro wrote for WIVB.com yesterday,

What’s behind sinkholes in WNY?

So what causes these sinkholes to form?

University at Buffalo Geology Professor Dr. Marcus Bursik says there
are two types of sinkholes. One type is caused by aging
infrastructure, like old pipes that burst underground and eventually
cause a collapse on the surface. This is more common and is
sometimes called a “fake sinkhole.”

Like the
Sinkhole on US 82 near Tifton August 2012,
caused by a broken water main, and since filled in.
The other type is much more common: Continue reading →