What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify the hydrogeological and environmental mechanisms causing rapid sinkhole development in non-karst sandy-clay soils following the operation of a nearby production well.

September 17, 2026HydrologyOpen Access

Rapid Development of Small Steep-Walled Sinkholes Associated with Forest Clearing and Later Water-Table Drawdown

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Authors

GDGregg Davidson YCYung-Yu Chiu

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Overview

Field investigation reveals rapid sinkhole formation following groundwater pumping and stump decay in cleared terrain, suggesting subsurface biological decomposition can trigger subsidence.

Key Points

To identify the hydrogeological and environmental mechanisms causing rapid sinkhole development in non-karst sandy-clay soils following the operation of a nearby production well.
Characterized the dimensions, wall structure, and internal organic remnants across more than 100 small sinkholes.
Installed piezometers along an environmental transect to measure local groundwater elevations and evaluate hydraulic gradients relative to a high-capacity production well.
Over 100 steep-walled sinkholes formed rapidly, measuring 12 to 50 cm wide and 10 to 80 cm deep, with multiple voids containing rotting tree stumps and lateral root networks.
Piezometric monitoring confirmed reduced subsurface water levels and a persistent hydraulic gradient sloping directly toward the active production well.
Identified a distinct subsidence mechanism driven by water-table drawdown, sediment aeration, and rapid biological decomposition of preserved wood outstripping soil creep.

Cite This Study

Davidson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb7275f706d05830e5fd6 https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology13090248

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September 17, 2026HydrologyOpen Access

Rapid Development of Small Steep-Walled Sinkholes Associated with Forest Clearing and Later Water-Table Drawdown

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

GDGregg Davidson YCYung-Yu Chiu

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Field investigation reveals rapid sinkhole formation following groundwater pumping and stump decay in cleared terrain, suggesting subsurface biological decomposition can trigger subsidence.

Key Points

To identify the hydrogeological and environmental mechanisms causing rapid sinkhole development in non-karst sandy-clay soils following the operation of a nearby production well.
Characterized the dimensions, wall structure, and internal organic remnants across more than 100 small sinkholes.
Installed piezometers along an environmental transect to measure local groundwater elevations and evaluate hydraulic gradients relative to a high-capacity production well.
Over 100 steep-walled sinkholes formed rapidly, measuring 12 to 50 cm wide and 10 to 80 cm deep, with multiple voids containing rotting tree stumps and lateral root networks.
Piezometric monitoring confirmed reduced subsurface water levels and a persistent hydraulic gradient sloping directly toward the active production well.
Identified a distinct subsidence mechanism driven by water-table drawdown, sediment aeration, and rapid biological decomposition of preserved wood outstripping soil creep.

Cite This Study

Davidson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb7275f706d05830e5fd6 https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology13090248

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