Sinkhole In Guatemala, South America

News reports indicate that in January 2007 residents of a crowded neighbourhood in Guatemala City reported hearing rumblings and feeling earth tremors.  Approximately a month later, on 23 February 2007, a 100 metre deep sinkhole opened up in the ground swallowing twelve homes, killing three and forcing the evacuation of 1,000 people.

Some reports suggest the sinkhole developed as a result of heavy rains and an underground sewage flow from a ruptured main.  Other reports suggest it may have been the result of decades of  erosion of loosely compacted soil.  Sinkholes can also develop when rocks such as gypsum and limestone are dissolved by water or when subterranean gaps are created by the removal of groundwater.  Whatever the cause, the damage in Guatemala was catastrophic. The gaping hole emitted terrible odours, loud noises, and the sound of flowing water.

Sinkholes have occurred in Australia but thankfully without the devastation experienced in South America.  One of the most famous Australian sinkholes is the  Umpherstone sinkhole located in Mt Gambier in South Australia. This naturally occurring phenomenon was formed by the dissolution of limestone. 

It is unlikely that Australian insurance policies would respond to damage caused by sinkholes as many insurance covers exclude subsidence.  

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Published with permission of Claim Solutions Pty Ltd 

Insurance Policy

Country: - South America  & Australia

Policy Description: - Not known

Insurer: - Various

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