Shocking Pictures Show Hundreds Of Huge Sinkholes Appear In Croatia After Strong Earthquake

Hundreds of large sinkholes have been appearing across Croatia after a massive earthquake struck the area in December. Sinkholes from seismic activity are not unusual, but scientists say the number and speed are rare.

A central Croatian region about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the capital, Zagreb, is pocked with round holes of all sizes, which appeared almost three months after a 6.4-magnitude quake that killed seven people, affected approximately 1,16,000 people and caused widespread destruction. The most affected ones are from Petrinia, Sisak, and Glina, given the high intensity of the quack, and several others are affected that were based in the surrounding rural areas.

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What are geologists saying?

Scientists have been flocking to Mecencani and other villages in the sparsely-inhabited region for observation and study. ¡°These are so-called dropout sinkholes, and they appeared because of the specific geological composition of this area, as the soil rests on limestone rocks heavily saturated with groundwater,¡± said geologist Josip Terzic of the Croatian Geological Survey. Geologists have said that the temblor accelerated the process of sinkhole formation that would normally have taken years, if not decades.

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Terzic said scientists are planning various exploration methods to determine the underwater morphology and other characteristics. He spoke to The Associated Press as he stood beside a large sinkhole that he said was up to 15 meters (yards) deep and equally wide.

What are residents saying?

The strong shakings damaged more than 35,000 homes and about 5,000 businesses. The earthquake was strong and caused much damage to the buildings. Now months have passed since the fatal earthquake, and people living in the area are more worried about the destructive sinkholes that appeared later. Thousands are spending their days in fear of being buried under the ground alive, Terzic said.

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Some sinkholes have appeared by people's houses or on their farmland, prompting the authorities to advise caution. Nenad Tomasevic, a teacher from Mecencani, said it all seemed too much. ¡°The earthquake itself felt pretty unpleasant to say the least. And after that, these holes started popping up,¡± said Tomasevic, who had to move to a neighbor¡¯s house after an expanding hole appeared in his backyard.

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How much damage has been reported?

Some three months after the earthquake, the hardest-hit area is still struggling with its devastation, with many houses still in rubble and the region's main town, Petrinja, semi-abandoned. Occasional earthquakes, including those of magnitude 4 or more, can still be felt, further upsetting residents and adding to the coronavirus pandemic woes.