A consistent pattern of ground collapse in West Texas, long associated with oil and gas production, has drawn ongoing attention from geologists and residents. Two large sinkholes near the towns of Wink and Kermit have expanded or shifted since the first one appeared in 1980. The first crater measured roughly 360 feet across. A second, larger sinkhole opened in 2002 less than a mile away, stretching more than 900 feet wide. The cavities formed after decades of drilling and water removal weakened underground salt layers, leaving spaces that eventually gave way under the weight of the surface.
The area between the two craters continues to move, according to satellite imagery and ground surveys. Researchers at Southern Methodist University have studied the site for years and have said additional collapses are possible. State agencies now use radar systems to track subtle changes in the ground. The region is sparsely populated, but nearby roads, pipelines, and infrastructure remain exposed to potential future shifts. No easy solution exists for filling the voids, and officials have focused on monitoring and preparation rather than large-scale intervention. Residents in the area have continued their daily routines while acknowledging that the land remains unpredictable.
In Houston, the ship channel presents a different kind of ongoing concern. The 50-mile waterway is among the busiest in the country, moving fuel, chemicals, and cargo daily. Its shores are lined with refineries, storage tanks, and processing plants that form one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world. The presence of hazardous materials means that an accident could affect nearby neighborhoods, and past incidents have included fires, explosions, and chemical leaks that prompted shelter-in-place orders. The channel also connects to Galveston Bay, an important coastal ecosystem that could suffer long-term damage from a major spill. Regulators and engineers work to maintain safety standards, but aging infrastructure, growing demand, and the risk of hurricane storm surge add to the challenge. The waterway remains central to the regional economy, and public agencies continue to review safety procedures.
Underground, Texas holds thousands of documented caves, with many more still unmapped. The Caverns of Sonora, located outside the town of Sonora, are known for their unusual crystal formations, particularly helictites that grow in twisting, gravity-defying shapes. The caves formed over millions of years as acidic water dissolved limestone. Ranchers discovered the entrance in the early 1900s while looking for water, but the full extent of the system was not explored until the 1950s. The Mayfield family, who owned the land, opened the caverns to the public in 1960. Some formations, including a well-known helictite called the Caverns Butterfly, were damaged by visitors before conservation rules were introduced. The site now operates with guided tours and strict rules against touching the formations. The damage that occurred in earlier decades has become part of the caverns’ history and is often cited as a reason for the current protections.
A separate cave discovery in central Texas gained attention in 2022. Denise Schubert and her husband had noticed a small hole on their property near the Edwards Aquifer that emitted a steady stream of air. After years of curiosity, they began digging with the help of archaeologists and students. They found an entrance to a cave system with multiple chambers, including one room measuring roughly 28 by 30 feet. The couple preserved the site and gave tours to interested visitors. When the property was listed for sale, the cave became a notable feature, and the home eventually went under contract. The discovery is part of a broader network of caves beneath the Edwards Plateau, where rainwater has slowly carved passageways through limestone over millions of years.
The Longhorn Cavern System in Burnet County has a longer recorded history. The cave was shaped by an underground river and later used by Native tribes, and during Prohibition in the 1920s it reportedly served as a secret nightclub where jazz bands played and alcohol was served. After Prohibition ended, the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the site in the 1930s, building trails and stone structures that remain in use today at Longhorn Cavern State Park. The limestone that forms the cave is part of a larger karst landscape across the Hill Country, where underground voids can sometimes weaken the surface above. Civil engineers and conservationists monitor the region for signs of instability, especially as development expands into these areas.
Jacob’s Well, near Wimberley, is a natural spring that serves as the entrance to an underwater cave system extending more than 100 feet deep. The site has been documented since the mid-1800s and has long attracted divers. Several fatalities occurred over the years in its narrow passages, which led to stricter access rules. Cave diving is now permitted only with special permits and supervision, while swimming remains available during certain seasons. In recent years, the spring has slowed or stopped flowing during periods of drought and heavy groundwater use. Conservation efforts have focused on limiting water consumption and raising public awareness about the aquifer that feeds the well.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science, founded in 1909, has grown into one of the most visited museums in the country, drawing more than two million visitors annually. Its collections include dinosaur skeletons, gem and mineral displays, and a butterfly center housed in a rainforest environment. The Burke Baker Planetarium offers astronomy shows, and the museum regularly hosts traveling exhibitions on subjects ranging from ancient Egypt to Maya civilization. The institution has remained focused on science education and public access to natural history.
Volcanic activity in Mexico has also drawn attention in Texas. Popocatépetl, a volcano about 800 miles from the Texas border, has erupted repeatedly in recent decades. Its ash clouds can drift northward and reach southern Texas depending on wind patterns. Ash from past eruptions has disrupted air travel in Mexico, and a significant event could affect visibility and flights in Texas cities near the border. Volcanic ash contains fine particles that can damage engines and pose respiratory risks. The volcano is monitored continuously by scientists in Mexico and abroad, and its activity has increased in recent years. In late 2024, it produced an ash column that rose more than 20,000 feet. The broader effects of climate change on volcanic activity remain an area of ongoing research.
