Puebla sinkhole facts for kids
The Puebla sinkhole is a giant hole in the ground. It appeared suddenly in Santa Maria Zacatepec, a town in Puebla, Mexico. This amazing sinkhole first showed up on May 29, 2021. When it first appeared, it was about 15 feet (4.6 m) wide. Just a few days later, by June 10, it had grown much larger. It reached about 400 feet (120 m) across and was estimated to be 50 feet (15 m) deep.
How the Puebla Sinkhole Appeared
The sinkhole opened up in a field on the afternoon of May 29, 2021. It started with a diameter of about 15 feet (4.6 m). A family living nearby, Magdalena and Heriberto Sánchez, heard a loud noise. When they checked, they found the huge pit.
The family, who had two children aged 13 and 11, had to leave their home. They had spent a lot of time and money making their house nice. Local people thought the sinkhole might be linked to an old artificial pond in the area.
What Caused the Sinkhole?
Experts have different ideas about why the sinkhole formed. Environmental officials think it might be because the soil became soft. This could be due to too much water being taken from underground water sources. These sources are called aquifers.
The sinkhole is filled with water that moves quickly. Some people believe this water comes from a hidden underground river. Interestingly, the water level often drops almost completely around 3 or 4 in the morning.
Rescues and Warnings
On June 10, two dogs accidentally fell into the giant pit. Luckily, they were rescued just a few hours later. By this time, the sinkhole had grown even bigger. It was about 400 feet (120 m) wide and 50 feet (15 m) deep.
The government has told people to stay away from the area. They have also made it against the rules to fly drones over the sinkhole. This is to keep everyone safe.
See also
In Spanish: Socavón de Puebla para niños
