This webinar was conducted as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, co-hosted by the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
How many sinkholes open up in a year?
There is no database of sinkhole collapses for the United States, so these data are unavailable. Some individual state geologic surveys track reported collapses within their state. Many sinkhole collapses are not reported to authorities or news organizations, and many occur in rural areas where they are unobserved.
Learn more:
Related
Why are there no entries for caves in the Geographic Names Information System database?
How much does sinkhole damage cost each year in the United States?
What is a sinkhole?
What is the difference between a sinkhole and a pothole?
What is the difference between a sinkhole and land subsidence?
What is the largest sinkhole in the United States?
This webinar was conducted as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, co-hosted by the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
Randall Orndorff, Director of the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, discusses how Karst affects daily life. Beneath a quarter of the United States are rock types that can dissolve to form caves, sinkholes and other features. Nearly every state has rock layers of limestone, gypsum, and other soluble rocks we call ‘karst’.
Randall Orndorff, Director of the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, discusses how Karst affects daily life. Beneath a quarter of the United States are rock types that can dissolve to form caves, sinkholes and other features. Nearly every state has rock layers of limestone, gypsum, and other soluble rocks we call ‘karst’.

Cracks shown here in the exterior and supporting structures of this home are indicative of subsidence damage associated with sinkhole activity.
Cracks shown here in the exterior and supporting structures of this home are indicative of subsidence damage associated with sinkhole activity.

The entire root perimeter of this tree collapsed in response to subsidence activity. More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures.
The entire root perimeter of this tree collapsed in response to subsidence activity. More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures.

More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
Cracking along exterior walls is a sign of subsidence activity. Such severe structural damage from sinkholes can destroy homes and other structures.
Cracking along exterior walls is a sign of subsidence activity. Such severe structural damage from sinkholes can destroy homes and other structures.

More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.

More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
Cypress Root Sink is also part of the Wabash Complex.
Cypress Root Sink is also part of the Wabash Complex.
Listen to hear the answer.
A huge sinkhole in Texas begs a few questions about this fascinating and sometimes hazardous phenomenon, so we sit down with USGS geologist Randy Orndorff to learn more.
A huge sinkhole in Texas begs a few questions about this fascinating and sometimes hazardous phenomenon, so we sit down with USGS geologist Randy Orndorff to learn more.
Inflow hole, left of staff gage, along the bottom wall of Dover Sink.
Inflow hole, left of staff gage, along the bottom wall of Dover Sink.
Monitoring levels at Gator Sink.
Monitoring levels at Gator Sink.
Root filled cavities near Catacombs No. 8 showing underground flow.
Root filled cavities near Catacombs No. 8 showing underground flow.
Photo 2 of 15: Cars and house in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage intact. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 2 of 15: Cars and house in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage intact. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 5 of 15: House in a sinkhole. View to east across the sinkhole.
Photo 5 of 15: House in a sinkhole. View to east across the sinkhole.
Photo 7 of 15: Cars in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage starting to collapse into sinkhole. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 7 of 15: Cars in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage starting to collapse into sinkhole. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 9 of 15: Community pool collapsing into sinkhole at. Pool was roughly Olympic-sized and was about half full at the time of collapse. Impressive sounds of the rebar and concrete snapping, then the rush of water. View to north across the sinkhole. (1:30 p.m)
Photo 9 of 15: Community pool collapsing into sinkhole at. Pool was roughly Olympic-sized and was about half full at the time of collapse. Impressive sounds of the rebar and concrete snapping, then the rush of water. View to north across the sinkhole. (1:30 p.m)
Cover-collapse sinkhole in limestone near Frederick, Maryland (September 2003). Many sinkholes occur along highways where rainwater runoff is concentrated into storm drains and ditches increasing the rate of sinkhole development (note the sewer drain pipe beneath roadway).
Cover-collapse sinkhole in limestone near Frederick, Maryland (September 2003). Many sinkholes occur along highways where rainwater runoff is concentrated into storm drains and ditches increasing the rate of sinkhole development (note the sewer drain pipe beneath roadway).
U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, October 19–20, 2021
Karst in the United States: A digital map compilation and database
Sinkholes
Land subsidence in the United States
Land subsidence in the United States
Exploring caves: teaching packet for grades K-3
Karst topography; computer animations and paper model
Development of sinkholes resulting from man's activities in the Eastern United States
Formation of solution-subsidence sinkholes above salt beds
Related
Why are there no entries for caves in the Geographic Names Information System database?
How much does sinkhole damage cost each year in the United States?
What is a sinkhole?
What is the difference between a sinkhole and a pothole?
What is the difference between a sinkhole and land subsidence?
What is the largest sinkhole in the United States?
This webinar was conducted as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, co-hosted by the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
This webinar was conducted as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series, co-hosted by the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the FWS National Conservation Training Center.
Randall Orndorff, Director of the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, discusses how Karst affects daily life. Beneath a quarter of the United States are rock types that can dissolve to form caves, sinkholes and other features. Nearly every state has rock layers of limestone, gypsum, and other soluble rocks we call ‘karst’.
Randall Orndorff, Director of the Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, discusses how Karst affects daily life. Beneath a quarter of the United States are rock types that can dissolve to form caves, sinkholes and other features. Nearly every state has rock layers of limestone, gypsum, and other soluble rocks we call ‘karst’.

Cracks shown here in the exterior and supporting structures of this home are indicative of subsidence damage associated with sinkhole activity.
Cracks shown here in the exterior and supporting structures of this home are indicative of subsidence damage associated with sinkhole activity.

The entire root perimeter of this tree collapsed in response to subsidence activity. More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures.
The entire root perimeter of this tree collapsed in response to subsidence activity. More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures.

More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
Cracking along exterior walls is a sign of subsidence activity. Such severe structural damage from sinkholes can destroy homes and other structures.
Cracking along exterior walls is a sign of subsidence activity. Such severe structural damage from sinkholes can destroy homes and other structures.

More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.

More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
More than 110 sinkholes formed in the Dover area of Florida during a freeze event in January 2010. Ground water levels dropped to record-setting lows as farmers pumped water to irrigate their plants for protection from the cold temperatures. The sinkholes destroyed homes, roads and sections of cultivated areas.
Cypress Root Sink is also part of the Wabash Complex.
Cypress Root Sink is also part of the Wabash Complex.
Listen to hear the answer.
A huge sinkhole in Texas begs a few questions about this fascinating and sometimes hazardous phenomenon, so we sit down with USGS geologist Randy Orndorff to learn more.
A huge sinkhole in Texas begs a few questions about this fascinating and sometimes hazardous phenomenon, so we sit down with USGS geologist Randy Orndorff to learn more.
Inflow hole, left of staff gage, along the bottom wall of Dover Sink.
Inflow hole, left of staff gage, along the bottom wall of Dover Sink.
Monitoring levels at Gator Sink.
Monitoring levels at Gator Sink.
Root filled cavities near Catacombs No. 8 showing underground flow.
Root filled cavities near Catacombs No. 8 showing underground flow.
Photo 2 of 15: Cars and house in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage intact. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 2 of 15: Cars and house in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage intact. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 5 of 15: House in a sinkhole. View to east across the sinkhole.
Photo 5 of 15: House in a sinkhole. View to east across the sinkhole.
Photo 7 of 15: Cars in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage starting to collapse into sinkhole. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 7 of 15: Cars in a sinkhole. Auto mechanic’s garage starting to collapse into sinkhole. View to south across the sinkhole.
Photo 9 of 15: Community pool collapsing into sinkhole at. Pool was roughly Olympic-sized and was about half full at the time of collapse. Impressive sounds of the rebar and concrete snapping, then the rush of water. View to north across the sinkhole. (1:30 p.m)
Photo 9 of 15: Community pool collapsing into sinkhole at. Pool was roughly Olympic-sized and was about half full at the time of collapse. Impressive sounds of the rebar and concrete snapping, then the rush of water. View to north across the sinkhole. (1:30 p.m)
Cover-collapse sinkhole in limestone near Frederick, Maryland (September 2003). Many sinkholes occur along highways where rainwater runoff is concentrated into storm drains and ditches increasing the rate of sinkhole development (note the sewer drain pipe beneath roadway).
Cover-collapse sinkhole in limestone near Frederick, Maryland (September 2003). Many sinkholes occur along highways where rainwater runoff is concentrated into storm drains and ditches increasing the rate of sinkhole development (note the sewer drain pipe beneath roadway).