Trough Subsidence Sinkhole Subsidence Mine Drainage
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Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund www.paMSI.org Effects of Mine Subsidence 1-800-922-1678 Mine Drainage Sinkhole Subsidence Trough Subsidence Mine drainage occurs when old underground Sinkhole subsidence occurs in areas Subsidence troughs over abandoned mines is usually elliptical or circular in shape. Structures near the center of the trough can mine workings gradually fill up with water, overlying underground mines which are usually occur when the overburden sags Subsidence is usually greatest at the center of experience damage caused by the and the water breaks out onto the ground relatively close to the ground surface. downward due to the failure of remnant the trough and it progressively decreases until compression of the ground surface, and surface usually near a coal outcropping on This type of subsidence is fairly localized in mine pillars or by punching of the pillars into the limit of the impacted surface area is structures near the edges can be damaged by or near a hillside. Sometimes heavy rains or extent and is usually recognized by an abrupt a soft mine roof or floor. The resultant reached. Horizontal tension or stretching of the surface. Ground melting snow can raise the water level in a depression evident at the ground surface as surface effect is a large, shallow yet ground movements movement within a subsidence trough can mine and trigger a mine water breakout. overburden material collapses into the mine broad depression in the ground which also occur within a result in damage to buildings, roadways, void. Sinkhole subsidence is perhaps the subsidence trough. bridges, railroads, underground pipelines and If such a breakout occurs suddenly and most common type of mine subsidence and utilities, and practically any other structure or unexpectedly near a building, substantial has been responsible for extensive damage surface feature that may be present. In damage can occur. Although this is not to many structures throughout addition, the flow of streams may be altered or considered mine subsidence, under certain the years. disrupted, and surface cracks may occur, circumstances, building damage from such particularly near the edges of the trough. a mine water breakout would be covered by Mine Subsidence Insurance. Illustration Illustration of Sinkhole of Trough Subsidence. Subsidence. The illustration depicts the typical surface effects of mine subsidence. It is important to note that mine subsidence can occur as a result of mining at any depth. As a general rule, the total surface area affected by subsidence increases as the depth of mining increases. This means a structure can be damaged by subsidence even if is located directly above a pillar or solid block of coal. Mine Water Breakout Sinkhole Subsidence Overburden Trough Subsidence Coal Pillars Mine Entries or Rooms Underclay Collapse Stopped by Coal Outcrop Strong Rock Strata An Equal Opportunity Employer RECYCLED PAPER 5600-PO-DEP4052 .