What is a sinkhole? How are they formed? Couple saved by drone in Colorado
A couple in Colorado was saved after a teenager with a drone spotted the pair after a sinkhole formed around them.
A lucky couple in Colorado was saved after a teenager flying a drone over a sinkhole that had formed spotted the pair, leading to their rescue. The events took place outside of Brighton, Colorado, after a sinkhole emerged and flipped the vehicle the couple was traveling in, which was beginning to fill with water when the teenager noticed them with his aerial drone.
What is a sinkhole?
According to the US National Geological Survey, a sinkhole “is a closed natural depression in the ground surface” created after a slow or rapid collapse of material beneath the group in a certain area.
What causes a sinkhole to form?
Geological events, such as rock deterioration caused by groundwater, can trigger sinkholes. Water has the power to dissolve rocks, especially those that are more soluble like gypsum and limestone. This creates empty space beneath the surface, which can result in sinkholes. Unless the sinkhole forms gradually, predicting where they will emerge can be a challenging task.
Heavy rains may have contributed to the sinkhole forming in Colorado
Recent heavy rains in Colorado may have caused the sinkhole that trapped a couple. A teenage hero, who assisted in rescuing the pair, mentioned that the creek where he usually flies his drone is typically dry but had some water flow due to the weekend rain. By the time the emergency team arrived, there was only a six-inch gap for the couple to breathe. This brave act has made the young Colorado native a hero in the eyes of the community.