Sinkhole Sinkhole A sinkhole, also known as a cenote, sink, sink-hole, swallet, swallow hole, or doline (the different terms for sinkholes are often used interchangeably), is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer. Most are caused by karst processes—for example, the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks or suffosion processes. Sinkholes vary in size from both in diameter and depth, and vary in form from soil-lined bowls to bedrock-edged chasms. Sinkholes may form gradually or suddenly, and are found worldwide. Sinkholes may capture surface drainage from running or standing water, but may
Danube Sinkhole other hand, to decide the smoldering controversy over the quantitative impact of the Danube sinkhole, which is known as the Danube Sinkhole case (). As the karst is developing, future sinkhole stretches cannot be accurately predicted. The underground river Danube annually removes about 7,000 tons of lime, that is 2,700 cubic meters, from the karst system. Future expansions or collapses in the underground system are conceivable, which would show above ground as sinkholes or ponors. In the long run, today's upper Danube will probably be redirected entirely into the Radolfzeller Aach, and thus to the Rhine. This would mean that