Sinkhole Mystery For Monday...!

This is another one of those mysteries that takes place right here in the U.S. and can be (almost) visited!

Nature is beautiful and can be strange, as we all know. This story is a very good example of that.

Mount Baldy Sinkholes

Photo credit: Ejdzej/Wikimedia

 

At 37 meters (123 ft), Mount Baldy is the tallest sand dune on the southern edge of Lake Michigan. Indiana advertises the tourist attraction as “living” because it moves a meter or two every year. The dune began to move when visitors wore away the grass holding it together. That’s no mystery; it’s caused by the wind. It’s the dune’s ability to swallow children that puzzles scientists.

In July 2013, six-year-old Nathan Woessner was buried when a 3-meter (11 ft) hole suddenly formed beneath him. It took three hours to dig him out, thankfully alive. The next month, a second hole appeared. Deep air pockets aren’t supposed to be able to form in sand dunes, because the sand should immediately fill any gaps.

“We’re seeing what appears to be a new geological phenomenon,” said geologist Erin Argyilan, who is leading an investigation. She was working nearby the day Nathan was swallowed and is emotionally invested in finding the answer. 

The dune may cover trees, which rot away to create the holes. The dune was once mined to use the sand in glass making, so the phenomenon may be caused by humans. In the meantime, the dune is very much closed to the public.

I don't think that this is the place to try and build any sand castles, do you? I wonder if any of our northern readers have ever seen this place. You would tell us, right?

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Chocolate pie to go along with it!