A sudden or gradual subsidence of the ground surface resulting from the failure of the roof in an underground mine. When pillars collapse or shallow workings cave in, the void migrates upward until the surface drops, creating a crater or depression. It poses a severe hazard to surface infrastructure, roads, and agricultural land situated above old or active mining districts.
Heard on the job
We had to fence off the north pasture after a pitfall opened up over the abandoned historic workings.
Also heard as
- sinkhole
- crown hole