By Vania Raebel | October 4, 2019
The Colossal Sinkhole
In 2010, a gigantic sinkhole opened up in Guatemala City after being hit by tropical storm Agatha. The sinkhole’s victim was a factory three stories high. There were various factors behind the formation of the enormous sinkhole, and not all could be attributed to natural phenomena. Aside from tropical storm Agatha, leakage from sewer pipes and the Pacaya Volcano’s eruption are also to blame for the tragic disaster.
The sinkhole was around 65 feet in diameter and 300 feet deep. Because of lax city zoning regulations and building codes in Guatemala city, it has become prone to more frequent and unpredictable disasters. Many geologists are now calling for the Guatemalan government to conduct more regular inspections of the city’s sewer system.
