A sinkhole on Interstate-80 eastbound near the Wharton exit in New Jersey caused a busy stretch of the highway to be closed. The New Jersey Department of Transportation reported that the sinkhole was 40 feet wide and 40 feet deep, leading to the closure of all lanes of I-80 eastbound. The cause of the sinkhole has not yet been determined, but crews are on site to evaluate the situation and stabilize the area for repairs.
Sinkholes are typically formed by the dissolution of certain types of rock, such as limestone, carbonate rock, and salt beds, underneath the ground surface. This process weakens the rock until it collapses, creating a hole or depression. Sinkholes can range in size and shape, with some having vertical walls, appearing as saucers, or generating ponds by retaining water.
Sinkholes are common in states like Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Pennsylvania due to their limestone bedrock. The average annual cost of sinkhole damage in the United States is around $300 million. Signs of an impending sinkhole include slumping trees, tilting fence posts, and ponds forming in new areas. In buildings, doors and windows that no longer close properly can also indicate a sinkhole forming.
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Sinkhole on I-80 in New Jersey causes detours and car strandings: Here’s what you need to know
