Sinkholes
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Question

Is the jet stream changing?

Researchers at Mainz University are investigating the jet stream to assess how its decadal variations could affect the occurrence of weather extremes in Europe.
Jet Stream
© Georgios FragkoulidisWind velocity and streamlines at an altitude of about 10 kilometers above the Earth's surface on the onset of a Western Europe heat wave (23 August 2016).
Heavy precipitation, wind storms, heat waves — when severe weather events such as these occur they are frequently attributed to a wavy jet stream. The jet stream is a powerful air current in the upper troposphere that balances the pressure gradient and Coriolis forces. It is still not known whether the jet stream is really undergoing changes at decadal timescales and, if so, to what extent.

"There are various theories as to what we can expect from the jet stream in future. However, these are all based on highly idealized assumptions," said Dr. Georgios Fragkoulidis of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). "Although it is quite clear that carbon dioxide emissions make a direct contribution to the global mean temperature, changes in the atmospheric circulation are highly uncertain due to the chaotic processes that govern its evolution."

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Dozens displaced after massive sinkhole opens near apartment complex in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

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Authorities say a huge sinkhole in northeast Pennsylvania has forced nearly two-dozen people from their homes.

The ground gave way over the weekend next to an apartment complex in Luzerne County.

The fire chief said 14 of the apartments have been condemned, causing roughly 20 people to be displaced.

The department of environmental protection says the hole is about 60 to 80 feet deep.

It is believed the sinkhole was likely caused by a mine subsidence which is a technique used in underground mining and can result in the ground above sinking or in this case, develop into a large sinkhole.


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Large sinkhole opens up in Long Island homeowner's backyard

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A large sinkhole is creating a mess in a Long Island backyard, and those who live at the home said it sprung up out of nowhere — leading them to question what caused it to form.

Tiffany McFadzean couldn't believe her eyes when she looked out into the backyard of her West Hempstead home Tuesday morning.

"We saw this big huge hole it caught us off guard," she said.

The sinkhole measures about six feet deep and 10 feet across, and appeared suddenly with zero warning.


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Giant 70-meter sinkhole halts access in Gianyar, Indonesia

Giant sinkhole appeared on Sep. 11, 2023, in Gianyar, halting access to the famous Tampaksiring tourist destination.
Giant sinkhole appeared on Sep. 11, 2023, in Gianyar, halting access to the famous Tampaksiring tourist destination.
The road that served as the gateway to tourism in Gianyar has plunged to a depth of 70 meters, leaving a hole spanning over 30 meters wide, which has caused a major disruption to access routes leading to Tampaksiring.

The famous Tegallalang rice fields are now in the spotlight as a giant sinkhole has appeared at this destination.

Local news outlets reported on Wednesday that this cataclysmic event unfolded in the heart of Kedisan Village. Beyond its role in tourism, this route is a lifeline for the local community, linking them to essential markets and educational institutions.


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Sinkhole the size of a car appears on street in south-east London

Residents initially used wheelie bins to block off the sinkhole, which emerged on Monday morning in Eltham.
© Andrew HudsonResidents initially used wheelie bins to block off the sinkhole, which emerged on Monday morning in Eltham.
A sinkhole the size of a car has opened up on a street in south-east London.

The hole which takes up almost an entire lane of the road and runs alongside the kerb next to a postbox, emerged on Monday morning on Dunvegan Road, Eltham. The area around the hole has been cordoned off after locals initially used wheelie bins to prevent an accident.

Andrew Hudson, who posted a photo of the hole on Facebook, told people to be vigilant and warned of slow post over the next few days. He said: "Next to Mayday Cars cab office be aware!

"I feel sorry for anyone that has posted important letters in the post box there because they are not being collected anytime soon," he added.


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Massive sinkhole opens in San Francisco intersection

A large sinkhole opened up in San Francisco’s ritzy Pacific Heights neighborhood
© NBCA large sinkhole opened up in San Francisco’s ritzy Pacific Heights neighborhood
A huge sinkhole has opened up in the middle of a busy San Francisco intersection.

The asphalt streets at the intersection of Fillmore and Green Streets caved in on Monday morning after a water main broke the night before, flooding the area.

The dramatic street collapse has caused chaos in the tony neighborhood of Pacific Heights, home to ritzy mansions and dramatic views of San Francisco's landmarks.

On Sunday night just before midnight, a 16-inch water main broke near the intersection of Fillmore and Union Streets, just one block from where the sinkhole would later emerge.


Comment: Sinkholes: The groundbreaking truth


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Large sinkhole forces emergency closure of road in Wixom, Michigan

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A large sinkhole has forced an emergency road closure in the City of Wixom.

A sinkhole was discovered on North Wixom Road, which is currently closed between Pontiac Trail to the south, and Maple Road to the north. The closure is just south of the Wixom Elementary School, near the Michigan Air Line Trail.

A void formed under a section of the road, and the Road Commission for Oakland County is working with the City to identify the cause.


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Second large sinkhole appears in Cape Town, South Africa a day after the first one

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© Lisalee Solomons
Two massive sinkholes appeared on busy roads in Cape Town on Monday, the first in Lavender Hill where a refuse compactor truck fell into the hole and the second in Montague Drive in Milnerton where a four-metre-wide hole appeared, causing major disruptions.

The City of Cape Town's water and sanitation department said on Tuesday it was attending to sewer collapses on Montague Drive and in Lavender Hill.

In Milnerton, one lane had temporarily been closed to traffic due to the sinkhole and motorists were urged to use alternative routes.

Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said a contractor has been sent to the area to determine the extent of the damaged sewer line before the remedial work could be done.


Comment: Details of the first: Sinkhole swallows rubbish truck in Cape Town, South Africa


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Sinkhole swallows rubbish truck in Cape Town, South Africa

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The City of Cape Town says it is retrieving a refuse compactor truck that fell into a sinkhole after a section of road gave way on Monday morning.

The Mayco member for urban waste management, Grant Twigg, said the road in Lavender Hill had no visible signs of damage.

A woman sustained minor injuries and was transported to hospital.

Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said a rescue vehicle and personnel were deployed after they received a call at around 09:00.

A tow truck also responded to help recover the truck.


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Car swallowed by giant sinkhole that opened up on busy street in Queensland, Australia

The silver two-door Peugeot went head first into the sinkhole
The silver two-door Peugeot went head first into the sinkhole
A huge sinkhole has opened on a street in the heart of the Gold Coast tourist strip, almost swallowing a car that found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The huge hole opened on Short Street at Southport, adjacent to the Australia Fair shopping centre and just off the Marine Parade esplanade.

The silver Peugeot coupe went nose first into the sinkhole which cracked open suddenly due to broken water pipes.

The car sank into the hole around 4am on Thursday, with major damage to the road and footpath.