Sinkholes in the Netherlands

A sinkhole, or more commonly called in the Netherlands a shakehole or doline, is a depression or hole in the ground that is caused by the collapse of the surface layer of soil. Sinkholes can vary in size from 1 meter to 600 meters in both depth and diameter. Sinkholes can also form gradually or very suddenly.

Although giant sinkholes are not very common in the Netherlands, there is still many smaller sinkholes and depressions in the land. I found a story about a couple that lived in the Netherlands left their water sprinklers on for 3 days while they were vacationing in Germany and it caused a neighbors patio to sink because of the loosened soil beneath the floor.

In the Netherlands, the ground and soil usually since after a good amount of years so they have to go and raise the ground with sand to prevent a sinkhole. But this is only useful for small gardens and yards.

The Netherlands use dikes that help regulate water flow from the countryside and keep the water from washing away the land. Since about 20% of the population live under sea level and 50% of the population live just 1 meter above sea level, these dikes are extremely important in preventing flooding and soil damage from causing sinkholes.



http://nl.aup.nl/books/9789053566534-etymologisch-woordenboek-van-het-nederlands-deel-1-a-t-m-e.html

http://www.bndestem.nl/regio/bergen-op-zoom/bergen-op-zoom/vrouw-zakt-in-sinkhole-in-bergen-op-zoom-1.3946167?ref=carousel