Sinkholes: Buried Alive

Gr 9 Up—This episode investigates natural disasters involving sinkholes, which appear in regions where porous rock, such as limestone, is eroded away, triggering a surface collapse. In populous areas, streets and buildings are damaged, sometimes resulting in loss of life. Interviews and reenactments reveal a tragic account from 2013 in Tampa, FL, in which a man died after his bedroom collapsed as he slept. In addition, crews investigate damage in the bayous of Louisiana and in a historic, medieval city in Spain. Interviews with geologists, cave divers, and home owners experiencing property damage explain the threat of these disasters, and computer animation illustrates the natural processes of sinkhole formation. In addition, the program explores techniques to predict high-risk areas and demonstrates steps some home owners take to protect their properties and their lives.