Quick Search:    advanced search

GSW Home   GeoRef Home   My GSW Alerts   Contact GSW   About GSW   Journals List   Help

Environmental and Engineering Geoscience

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by GOUZIE, D. Articles by PENDERGRASS, G. Search for Related Content

Investigation and Remediation of the 2006 Nixa, Missouri, Collapse Sinkhole

¹ Geography, Geology, and Planning Department, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65897
² Pendergrass Geological Consultants, 4032 S. Gatlin Court, Springfield, MO 65807

The August 2006 collapse of a sinkhole beneath a residential structure in Nixa, Missouri, offered a new opportunity to investigate such features. Investigation of the roughly 60 ft (18 m) diameter by 75 ft (23 m) deep sink suggested factors that may be precursors of such catastrophic events and provided an opportunity to document a common approach to remediating collapse subsidence events. A review is presented here of the site conditions, the initial emergency response, site investigation and remedial planning, and the final actions taken. In addition, several potential indicators or contributing factors are identified that may allow others in karst terranes to identify future potential hazard areas. These factors include subsurface drainage features, tree roots and macropores, and unique storm-water drainage conditions. Lessons learned during the response to the sinkhole collapse are presented that should prove helpful to others if they need to prepare for, or respond to, similar incidents.

Key Words: Karst • Environmental Geology • Sinkhole • Land-Use Planning • Geohazards • Engineering Geology