{"id":49078,"date":"2020-08-20T10:53:15","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T10:53:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/?post_type=research_project&#038;p=49078"},"modified":"2023-02-27T14:17:31","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T14:17:31","slug":"sinkholes-research","status":"publish","type":"research_project","link":"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Sinkholes and karst research"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t\t<section class=\"hero-section hero-section-with-social\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Sinkholes and karst research<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>BGS Research<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"social-wrap social-wrap-inline-them\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sea-background-f\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Share this article<\/span><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\"><span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span class=\"hidden\">Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Sinkholes%20and%20karst%20research&#038;url=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\"><span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span class=\"hidden\">Twitter<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   onclick=\"javascript:void( (function() {var e=document.createElement('script' );e.setAttribute('type','text\/javascript' );e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8' );e.setAttribute('src','\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());\"  href=\"javascript:void(0);\"><span class=\"icon-pinterest\"><span class=\"hidden\">Pinterest<\/span><\/span><\/a><a target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/wa.me?text=https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\"><span class=\"icon-whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden\">WhatsApp<\/span><\/span><\/a><a   href=\"mailto:?subject=Sinkholes%20and%20karst%20research&#038;body=Our%20research%20extends%20beyond%20the%20distribution%20and%20processes%20associated%20with%20sinkhole%20formation%20to%20the%20broader%20subject%20of%20karst.%20(https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/)\"><span class=\"icon-mail\"><span class=\"hidden\">Email<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"#\" data-copy=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\" class=\"copy-url-on-click\"><span class=\"icon-link\"><span class=\"hidden\">Copy Link<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P689722-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur hero-img\" alt=\"Limestone pavement, Cumbria\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P689722-1.jpg\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-bgs-blocks-content-container content-section\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12\">\n<p>&#8216;Karst&#8217; is a geomorphological term applied to the landscape that results from the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as the characteristic limestone pavements of the Pennines. Research at the BGS extends beyond the distribution and processes associated with sinkhole formation to the broader subject of karst in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We maintain a number of databases that relate to karst, including a database of sinkholes and the National Karst Database. The National Karst Database has recorded over 10&nbsp;000 sinkholes on the completed desk study research areas.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"acc-top secondary-background icon-arrow button no-btn\"><span class=\"button-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">Why do we undertake karst research?<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-body sea-background-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Understanding the nature and distribution of karst is important both for engineering geology and hydrogeological applications, as well as understanding landscape evolution. Specific challenges for engineering geology include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>characterising the variation in depth to rockhead resulting from variable rates of dissolutional lowering of rockhead<\/li>\n<li>determining the extent of subsurface voids<\/li>\n<li>determining the position of the groundwater table<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Usually, the hazards associated with karst can be mitigated by through planning, good site investigation (with geophysics and boreholes), appropriate design and proper maintenance of infrastructure such as drains and services. Care is required when installing any structures that could affect the local groundwater flow or groundwater levels, including soakaways (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/suds\/\">sustainable drainage systems<\/a> or SuDs) and open-loop ground-source heat pumps. these may be impractical on soluble rocks in some places.<\/p>\n<p>Reflecting this, there is a strong collaborative approach to BGS research. Karst research draws public science funding, grant funding and commercial income to investigate a range of research activities including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/datasets\/geosure\/\">karst susceptibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li>domain-based karst characterisation and responsive visits to provide information for a range of stakeholders (including for emergency response)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/groundwater\/about\/karstAquifers\/karstFeatures.html\">chalk karst<\/a> and its influence on groundwater resources<\/li>\n<li>engineering geology associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/solotvyno\/\">salt karst<\/a><\/li>\n<li>the extent and distribution of gypsum karst, e.g. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/development-in-ripon\/\">Ripon, UK<\/a><\/li>\n<li>the influence of karst on groundwater and engineering in a range of limestone formations<\/li>\n<li>landscape evolution and the dating of speleothems<\/li>\n<li>weakly karstic aquifers.<\/li>\n<li>cave research and conservation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div  class=\"accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"acc-top secondary-background icon-arrow button no-btn\"><span class=\"button-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">Managing sinkholes in an emergency<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-body sea-background-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Ensure that areas and a safety perimeter are cordoned off and keep people away.<\/li>\n<li>Notify the landowner and\/or emergency services as appropriate.<\/li>\n<li>If services pipes (e.g. gas or water) are left suspended, ensure that infrastructure managers are contacted, e.g. <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nationalgrid.com\/uk\/safety\/\">Safety and emergencies (National Grid)\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.unitedutilities.com\/emergencies.aspx\">Emergencies (United Utilities)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure that any triggering processes (e.g. leaking drains) are managed to minimise the potential for ongoing subsidence.<\/li>\n<li>Contact your local council\/building control to notify them; find out if there is a history of such features in the area and request a list of consulting engineers that are able to give appropriate advice on the correct procedures for stabilising them.<\/li>\n<li>The BGS can be approached for more information on sinkholes or read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/about-bgs\/services\/public\/\">specific homeowner advice<\/a>. We may also be interested in recording the event in our sinkhole database.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the concern is about whether a sinkhole is developing on a specific property, monitor any suspect depressions, check that there are no obvious potential triggering mechanisms, e.g. leaking pipes, check for any associated cracks in adjacent buildings and seek guidance from your council\/building control.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div  class=\"accordions\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"acc-top secondary-background icon-arrow button no-btn\"><span class=\"button-content\" tabindex=\"-1\">General information on sinkholes and karst<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acc-body sea-background-e\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/\">Discovering Geology<\/a> pages for more information on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/#appearance\">Sinkhole appearance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/#triggers\">What triggers sinkholes?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/#types\">Types of sinkholes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/#karst\">Where does karst occur in the UK?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/#sinkholes\">Where do sinkholes occur in the UK?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<section   id=\"latest-content-8806-block_cbe167f4bebea4933cd2f7609b97e4b1\" class=\"cards-carousel-section  rock-background-d   \" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row header-of-section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Our sinkhole research<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12 owl-carousel carousel-basic-2-color owl-theme carousel-js\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/ripon-sinkhole-november-2016\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ripon_2016_feature-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Aerial image of the sinkhole using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ripon_2016_feature.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/ripon-sinkhole-november-2016\/\">Ripon sinkhole November 2016 case study<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A multi-skilled responsive team of BGS scientists investigated a sinkhole in Ripon, Yorkshire, in November 2016.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/ripon-sinkhole-november-2016\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/caton-karst\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/sinkhole_caton_devon_feature-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Surface depression remnant from sinkhole adjacent to the A38 at Caton, Devon.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/sinkhole_caton_devon_feature.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/caton-karst\/\">Karst in Caton, Devon<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A sinkhole formed adjacent to the  northbound carriageway of the A38 at Caton, Devon, in 2014 and a BGS responsive team went to study it in June 2016.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/caton-karst\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/sinkhole-at-magdalens-close\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P895051-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Damage caused to No 26 Magdalen\u2019s Close by sinkhole that developed on Monday 17 February 2014.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P895051.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/sinkhole-at-magdalens-close\/\">Ripon sinkhole February 2014 case study<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Partial collapse of a house in Ripon, Yorkshire, in 2014 was due to the formation of a sinkhole resulting from the dissolution of thick gypsum deposits beneath the area.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/sinkhole-at-magdalens-close\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/sinkholes-increase-2014\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Sinkhole_Rippon-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sinkhole_Rippon\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Sinkhole_Rippon.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/sinkholes-increase-2014\/\">Sinkholes increase 2014<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/sinkholes-increase-2014\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/deneholes\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/denehole_PJW6247_feature-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Rainham Mark Grammar School: view to show the broadening of the cavity beneath the shaft.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/denehole_PJW6247_feature.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/deneholes\/\">Deneholes<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Deneholes are medieval chalk extraction pits comprising a narrow shaft with a number of chambers radiating from the base. Their historical distribution is not well known and they can cause subsidence and collapses.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/deneholes\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/solotvyno\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Sinkhole_Mine_7_Feature-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sinkhole mine 7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Sinkhole_Mine_7_Feature.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/solotvyno\/\">Hazard response: Solotvyno sinkhole case study<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The BGS contributed to an advisory mission in Solotvyno, Ukraine, to investigate pollution linked to the Solotvyno salt mine complex.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/solotvyno\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item cards  cards-find-more  \">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/\" class=\"media-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Solution_sinkhole_south_wales_website_feature-150x150.jpg\" class=\"lazy-blur wp-post-image\" alt=\"Solution sinkhole South Wales\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Solution_sinkhole_south_wales_website_feature.jpg\" \/>\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"info\">\n\t\t\t<div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/\">Understanding sinkholes and karst<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sinkholes are hollows that are the result of some kind of collapse of an underlying layer of rock.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/sinkholes\/\">Show more<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our research extends beyond the distribution and processes associated with sinkhole formation to the broader subject of karst.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":57543,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"16523,17592,7818,17424,16555,15877","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"tags":[],"region":[],"topic":[],"purpose":[],"area":[],"challenge":[],"challenge_topic":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sinkholes and karst research - British Geological Survey<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our research extends beyond the distribution and processes associated with sinkhole formation to the broader subject of karst.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sinkholes and karst research - British Geological Survey\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Our research extends beyond the distribution and processes associated with sinkhole formation to the broader subject of karst.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"British Geological Survey\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-02-27T14:17:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/P689722.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"332\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/geology-projects\/sinkholes-research\/\",\"name\":\"Sinkholes and karst research - 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