2 Mile Crack Opens Up In The Middle Of Arizona Desert

A two mile long crack has been discovered in the desert of Arizona. The Arizona Geological Survey is monitoring this crack. Rece...

7 years ago

Still Unfold

A two mile long crack has been discovered in the desert of Arizona. The Arizona Geological Survey is monitoring this crack. Recent drone flights taken for monitoring the crack reveal that it is continuously growing in both length and width in the Pinal County.

Scientists’ observation suggest that the northern portion of the crack is older and partially filled in by the eroding sediments. Southern portion remains 25 to 30 feet deep and 10 feet across.

Local populations and agriculture have led to desiccation of the ground which has created as large void in the underground. The agricultural proceeds in this region rely on underlying porous sandstone aquifers for potable water. This causes significant compaction of the sediments which were otherwise held by water in the sediment pore spaces. Several decades after these aquifers were depleted; underlying sedimentary rocks eventually failed and caused cracks in the surface and subsurface of Earth.

Cracks specifically form along the margins of sub residence areas and nearby mountain fronts. The Arizona Geological Survey has measured 26 study areas of fissures and mapped 170 miles of fissures in the region in total.

Geologists are expecting this crack to grow in southern portions. They believe that the underground extent is significantly larger than that seen on surface. These fissures also pose a risk to livestock and for people driving off-road vehicles. It is also dangerous to stand near the edges of a fissure because they may suddenly cave in.

Videos sourced from Arizona Geological Survey.