Sinkholes form when water gradually dissolves underground rock, usually limestone, creating empty spaces beneath the surface. Over time, the ground above loses support and collapses, sometimes without warning. The process can take years or decades, and the visible hole is often only the final stage of a long geological process.

In the Konya region of Turkey, roughly 700 sinkholes have appeared, and the number continues to grow. New holes have spread from a single district into surrounding towns and villages. Geologists say large underground cavities in the area were once filled with water, which supported the ground from below. Heavy pumping of groundwater for agriculture, along with declining rainfall, has lowered water levels and left those cavities empty. The region also sits in a fault-controlled basin, meaning shifting ground may trigger collapses in weak areas. Underground streams that carry loose soil deeper into the ground can make the problem worse.

A sinkhole near the Turkish city of Karapınar, about 65 miles from the city center, measured roughly 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep. Officials placed warning signs and fencing around it, noting the area could still collapse further.

In Chile, a sinkhole appeared at a mining site in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. The hole initially measured about 80 feet wide and later expanded to nearly 105 feet across. It opened near an underground copper mine operated by a Canadian company. Workers blocked off the area and contacted authorities. Geologists investigated the cause, and underground work was halted as a precaution. No one was hurt, and no equipment or buildings were damaged.

In 2010, a sinkhole opened in Guatemala City, forming a roughly circular hole about 60 feet wide and around 20 stories deep. Reports said a three-story building was swallowed, along with cars and road infrastructure. The ground beneath the city had likely been weakening for an extended period before the collapse. Tropical Storm Agatha had recently brought heavy rain, which may have been the final trigger. Experts suggested a damaged sewer or storm drain pipe could have allowed water to leak underground for a long time, weakening the soil. Filling the hole required a major operation due to its size.

The largest known sinkhole in China is called Xiaozhai Tiankeng, located in the southern part of the country. It drops to a maximum depth of about 2,000 feet and stretches roughly 1,760 feet across. Rainwater seeped into limestone for thousands of years, creating tunnels and caves, while an underground river carved out larger spaces