Liquefaction versus sinkhole

[Tim The Enchanter]

So I reported subject was in a city designated liquefaction zone, which is typical for the area, yadda. I see it all the time.

I get a request,

Comment if the comps are also located in same liquefaction zone.
The appraiser must state if there has been any sinkhole activity on the subject property, or adjoining properties currently, or in the past.

I said comps are in liquefaction zone. I have no knowledge one way or the other about sinkhole activity at subject or in the hood. Left it at that.

How could I? The city web site shows lots of hazards, but there is no sinkhole category. I can't recall ever hearing of a sinkhole here, except caused by a broken water main.

Anyway, question.

Is there any relation between liquefaction typically caused by earthquakes, and sinkholes? I am thinking not really, but kept my comments to a minimum.

 

[sputnam]

Sorry... I'm an appraiser. You need to ask a geologist.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Useless follow up question, FFS.

Per U/W - Appraiser to add comment that at the time of inspection there was no visual presence of a sink hole on the property.

UW to see the f'ing photos. If there was a GD sinkhole you think I would not have mentioned it?
Dipstick.

 

[jay trotta]

Useless follow up question, FFS.

Per U/W - Appraiser to add comment that at the time of inspection there was no visual presence of a sink hole on the property.

UW to see the f'ing photos. If there was a GD sinkhole you think I would not have mentioned it?
Dipstick.

Always thought photo's were worth a thousand words, said the blind man

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

You need to ask a geologist.

@Terrel L. Shields

Any thoughts on the OQ original question?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Sinkholes are the result of undermining, usually a karst topography issue. Liquefaction relates to water in soft soils/silts that results in soil becoming almost, if not, fluid. The strength of the soil goes from a set amount to zero during an earthquake. So the two processes are completely different and how they form are completely different. Once the shaking stops, liquefaction ceases and if you are mired up to your knees in the mud, it is likely to set up like a soft concrete and you will have to be dug out. You cannot pull out of it. This happened to the naturalist/artist James Audubon when he was riding a horse across the Mississippi Delta during the 1811-1812 New Madrid Earthquake. His horse felt the shaking and stopped, sunk in the muck to the stirrups of the saddle. He extracted the horse with some difficulty.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Thank you, Terrel.
I thought there was no relation, but your explanation is nice and clear.

 

[Mark K]

Southern Indiana is full of sinkholes due to the underlying limestone substrate that eventually dissolves from rainwater seepage thru the rock. However, there are no instances of liquefaction to my knowledge. Maybe when the 'big one' hits (then next New Madrid Fault earthquake) we'll have some issues.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Maybe when the 'big one' hits (then next New Madrid Fault earthquake)

Probably only a problem in the delta lands where the soil moisture is high. During the NMQ sand blew out of the ground in geysers and you can see those on the farmland as white sandy spots. Sand blows also occur here during high water periods as well as earthquakes. That's when the Mississippi River water level is higher than the land surface behind the dikes along the river, creates a pressure under ground that can go to the surface like an artesian well. The pix is the town of New Madrid.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

So geology is more than just identifying nice rocks to turn into counter tops. Who knew.

I like that this work makes you dig into a lot of different things at times.