What tools might be used to study a sinkhole?

Answer 1

To study a sinkhole, geologists and other scientists would use their

• eyes - observation of rock and soil type, movement, etc.
• noses - pick up gaseous odors
• ears - hear how the earth shifts

In addition, geologists and other scientists might use flags to insert near outer edge (used in surveying), orange barrels to block the area off, rope or police tape to keep the public out, surveying equipment to measure outer area, equipment to measure depth, paper note book or computer for notes and math calculations, radon and other gas detectors for odorless gases, equipment for measuring soil and rock movement, measuring tape if a small sinkhole, materials to shore up walls if safe to do so, etc.

Answer 2

He or she might study any or all of:

The geology of the rock in which it formed, and of the region generally.

The regional and local morphology and hydrology.

The chemistry of the water draining into the sinkhole, and local climate.

The regional and local distribution of other sinkholes and any known caves and other karst land-forms in the area.

(My area of Southern England has a large number of sinkholes in the sand and gravels of the heath, which overlies chalk. The collapses are into solution-pipes in the chalk, but they are not known, or even thought, to enter caves as such.)

Answer 3

The type of investigation would be fieldwork.

Answer 4

the amouut of presure