A sinkhole, also known as a cenote, sink, sink-hole, shakehole, swallet, swallow hole, or doline (the different terms for sinkholes are often used interchangeably), is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer.
Two massive sinkholes have swallowed up part of a major road in southern Oregon.
The first one developed in December after heavy rains in the town of Harbor, while a second 80-foot sinkhole emerged last week.
Nobody has been injured but it is estimated 65,000 cubic yards of material will be needed to fill the holes.
Restaurant manager Theron Fox said he ran out to see the road disappearing.
The sinkholes have forced him to close the business and he is uncertain when it will be able to reopen.
Heavy rain plays a significant part in the formation of sinkholes.
Water flows downwards through cracks in the rock, eventually reaching an underground cave below, causing it to collapse.
