BAYOU CORNE, LA (WAFB) -
Several more trees were swallowed by the Bayou Corne sinkhole Monday,
suspending work at the site. This comes less than a week since the last
slough-in. This just adds to the size of the now more than 24 acre sinkhole.
The sinkhole opened up in August 2012 and was roughly 1/24 of the size it is
now. The sinkhole formed when an underground salt cavern collapsed.
The Assumption Parish Police Jury released a video last week of the two
slough-ins that happened August 21 and August 22. A large area of trees were
swallowed whole and the entire event was caught on camera.
Officials set sinkhole activity at code three, the highest alert
level. No work will be allowed on the sinkhole or within containment
berms, though no elevated levels of seismic activity have been detected since
last weeks' slough-in.
Monday's sinking occurred along the eastern edge of the sinkhole and is
believed to be related to trees sinking in the sinkhole last week.
Usually a slough-in occurs after the sinkhole burps. Burps occur when air
and gas from deep in the sinkhole bubbles up. It can cause debris and an oily
substance to float to the top.
It has been a year since hundreds living near the giant sinkhole were forced
from their homes.
Bubbles were spotted in Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou in June 2012. Two months
later, the ground opened up and left what is now a 24-acre sinkhole. Residents
were evacuated and the most affected residents began receiving weekly checks
from Texas-Brine in the amount of $875 per week. Texas Brine owns the salt
cavern that collapsed, causing the sinkhole.
On August 2, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced
the state will be suing Texas Brine for environmental damages caused by the
failed Texas Brine cavern.
On August 18, about 25 trees were swallowed by the sinkhole in an area
measured at 50' x 25'.
Parish and Texas Brine officials agree the situation is far from over. 3D
seismic surveys show the sinkhole itself it beginning to slow and stabilize,
but the recovery is focused on another danger; natural gas gathering underneath
a nearby aquifer.
Copyright 2013 WAFB.
All rights reserved.
Aerial image August 2, 2013 (Source: Assumption Parish OEP)
Trees being swallowed by giant Louisiana sinkhole on August 18, 2013 (Source: Assumption Parish OEP)
