Bayou Corne sinkhole
30°0′38.24″N 91°8′35.44″W / 30.0106222°N 91.1431778°W
The Bayou Corne sinkhole was created from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern operated by Texas Brine Co. The sinkhole was discovered on August 3, 2012 and 350 nearby residents were advised to evacuate.[1] Scientists have stated that the evacuation order could last for years.[2] Most of the affected residents have received $875 per week from Texas Brine Co.[3]
The sinkhole was at least 750 feet (230 m) deep[4] and covered approximately 15 acres (6.1 ha) in May 2013.[3] Evidence from drilling suggested that the sinkhole was caused by collapse of a side wall in a cavern in the Napoleonville Salt Dome. This type of Collapse from the side is "something regulators and briners had previously considered impossible—highlighting, once again, how poorly understood the geology of salt caverns truly is," according to one report. Texas Brine has stated it has no idea why the cavern suddenly gave way, and is simply being a responsible entity by cleaning up the damage.[5]
Assumption Parish declared a state of emergency and Governor Bobby Jindal declared[6] a statewide state of emergency due to the threat of subsidence and subsurface instability that threatens the lives and property of the citizens of the state.
In May 2013, a class-action lawsuit for those impacted by the sinkhole was approved by a federal court.[3]
Texas Brine Co. has offered buyouts to those affected by the sinkhole and 44 of 92 buyout offers have been accepted as of July 2013.[7]
In August 2013, the sinkhole expanded to as large as 25 acres (10 ha) after swallowing several large trees within seconds.[8]
See also
- Döda Fallet
- Rylands v Fletcher
- Lake Peigneur Disaster
References
- ^ Bacon-Blood, Littice. "22-Acre Sinkhole Evacuates Entire Community". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ Cusanza, Kris. "Bayou Corne evacuation order could last for years". NBC33. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ a b c "Court approves sinkhole class-action suit". WAFB. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ "Emergency managers revise sinkhole depth estimate". Fox8Live. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ Tim Murphy, "Meet the Town That's Being Swallowed by a Sinkhole", The Atlantic Cities website (last accessed 8 August 2013)
- ^ "Proclamation No. 82 BJ 2012: State of Emergency – Threat of subsidence and subsurface instability" (PDF). Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ "Louisiana Sinkhole In Bayou Corne: What Caused The Massive Disaster?". International Science Times. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- ^ http://www.weather.com/news/louisiana-sinkhole-collapses-20130822
External links
- Assumption Parish information page
- Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness response Bayou Corne incident
- Louisiana Department of Natural Resources - Bayou Corne incident
- Texas Brine Company - Bayou Corne Incident page
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