Construction Site Sinkhole in Jamaica | Build Safer Insights

Scenes of Sinkhole on Construction Site

Nature of Sinkhole-Geologist Perspective

Upon listening to what is said in the video, it’s gathered that the sinkhole is approximately 7ft deep, and at least 4ft wide (measuring tape photo capture as reference). Three things grab my attention in these images/video:

1. The relative closeness of the apparently unfinished building to the sinkhole.
2. The apparent layer of cream-white material (apparently 2-10 inches thick) in between the red-brown layer, that comprise the stratigraphy display of the sinkhole.
3. The apparent two sub-horizontal cavities (approximately 10-14 inches wide & similar height within the sinkhole, highlighted by the yellow outlines.

With just the data presented in these image captures and video, I consider the nature of this sinkhole, to be natural, and not man-made. To go further, the features of sub-horizontal smaller cavities within this larger sinkhole, appear similar to others I have observed in the field within carbonate or limestone areas. So essentially, I’m of the view that this surface collapse is a product of an active underground river system, characteristic of carbonate areas in Jamaica.

What Does This Sinkhole Mean For The Unfished Building & Overall Construction Site?

Simply put, the building within the video/photos herein is most likely to be in danger of experiencing foundation damage as a result of material removal linked to the underground river system connected to this sinkhole, within the short term. It is highly likely, that there are other sections of this construction site that is actively experiencing material removal beneath the surface, which can pose tremendous risk to the overall structural safety of the project–dependent on the nature of the construction project, such as multistory buildings & critical infrastructure. This is where it can be deduced & inferred, that a thorough site investigation conducted by a geologist, or engineering geologist prior to the construction phase of this project, is lacking.

Read Related: Geohazards (click)

Can Packing The Sinkhole with Stones Save The Building?

Based on what is only presented in the images on this construction site, combined with my inherent knowledge of how underground river systems of carbonate areas work, the answer is no. All that can happen best case scenario is delay the inevitable. Without conducting sub-surface tests with geophysical equipment, and geologic methods, the action of stone packing is wastage.

At this stage, the best chance of saving the unfished building, and the overall integrity of this construction project, is to employ the services of a geologist or engineering geologist, to conduct site investigation assessments.