A massive sinkhole and crack has opened up along the Khao Phanom district of Krabi, due to a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that recently shook the area. The Theppitak chicken farm is now an unexpected hotspot of research activity! On Saturday, April 19, a sinkhole roughly 20 meters by 20 meters appeared behind the farm. These geological anomalies have caused an outcry by local residents and officials.
The 60 meter long fissure, over 4 rai wide was first discovered on the farm in the chicken coop section. On close inspection, observers found signs of stress throughout the coop, including cracking on the cross floor at two points inside the coop. Moreover, one main supporting beam in the edifice has subsided by about one centimeter, hinting at solid structural instability.
At first, there was little width to the sinkhole, but over time, as the sinkhole widened, it swallowed two three-year-old oil palm trees in the process. The sinkhole has now become the poster child of these catastrophes! Today, the tops of these trees are all but covered, starkly illustrating how critical this issue has become.
The Khlong Marui Fault is the main tectonic influence on the area’s geology. This route runs through Ban Ta Khun and Phanom districts of Surat Thani. This fault extends into Thap Put and Mueang districts in Phang Nga. It goes much deeper into the Andaman Sea, impacting tourist destinations such as the island of Phuket, and Koh Yao Island.
Local agencies continue to monitor the movement, determining whether there’s a risk of collapse to the adjacent buildings and homes below. Scientists are still working to understand what’s causing this geological unrest. They’re looking to see whether the recent seismic events contributed to creating the sinkhole and fissure.
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