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Citizen Science Opportunity!

Do you have a sinkhole on your property? Report it to the OGS!

Fill out a quick survey to let us know that you have a sinkhole on your property! We are working to create a map of subsidence for the state of Oklahoma. CLICK HERE for the survey!

What is a sinkhole?


Sinkhole development can occur slowly over long periods of time or rapidly in a matter of hours or days. The primary mechanism for their development is water flowing beneath the surface, eroding bedrocks and sediments from within, eventually creating large voids or conduits. When the ground overlying these voids and conduits collapses, a sinkhole appears!

With all the recent rainfall (April 2025), experts at the Oklahoma Geological Survey are expecting an increase in the number of sinkholes appearing across the parts of Oklahoma most impacted by the rains. Most of these sinkholes are expected to be small and will probably occur where water was flowing beneath roadways and driveways, eroding soils supporting the weight of the road which then leads to load failure and collapse.

In other areas where the bedrock is comprised of rocks like limestone or gypsum, these rocks often contain well developed networks for underground drainage of storm water creating a type of aquifer known as "karst". When sinkholes occur in karst, they can be quite large. In fact, the largest sinkholes on Earth are karst sinkholes.

When sinkholes form in karst, it is usually because underground flood water rapidly accelerate erosion or because the water levels reach the ceilings of caverns and exerts an upward force causing the ceiling to lift ever so slightly. When the flood waters recede, this upward force is removed and causes the cavern ceilings to come back down. When the movement exceeds the mechanical strength of the rock, the ceilings can collapse.

The OGS is interested in mapping the distribution of sinkholes to better understand where they're occurring in the State. Sinkholes can be important as input points for recharging groundwater in aquifers, but they can also be dangerous. Entering sinkholes is not advised except by professionals with the proper equipment and safety features. If you know of a sinkhole (new or old) please feel free to report it the OGS using the link below. Photos and location information are most useful for helping us make assessments. 

Report a sinkhole to the OGS

Hazard Mapping Program

Earth surface processes and hazards, including landslides, land subsidence and soil erosion occur in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Geological Survey monitors and maps these events across the state. Some of our recent projects focus primarily on causes, mechanics and susceptibility of shallow landslides in eastern Oklahoma, and land subsidence and sinkholes across the state. We are also characterizing the role of granite fractures in ecological, hydrological and geomorphic (i.e., erosion and mass movement) environments in the Wichita Mountains of southwest Oklahoma.

Our research tends to explore granular scale soil-water interaction based on physical modeling. We also conduct site, regional and global scale mapping, based on detailed geological and geomorphological mapping in the field, and by using remote sensing products including high resolution LiDAR topographic data and satellite imagery, geophysical techniques, and numerical, statistical and geospatial modeling approaches.

We produce maps of surface processes and hazards/risks and disseminate these data for public use. We heartily welcome research collaborations with universities, federal, state, and local agencies. Please contact Dr. Netra Regmi for more information.

Rockslide on highway US 295

A rockslide on highway US 295

 

 

Landslide near Highway 82

A landslide near Oklahoma State Highway 82.

 

 

Landslide susceptibility map

A preliminary landslide susceptibility map of Sugarloaf Mountain developed using 1 m LiDAR topographic data. Black polygons are historical landslides, red color represents highly susceptible slopes and blue color represents relatively stable slopes.

 

 

Fractures in granite

Fractures in granite of Wichita Wildlife Refuge in southwest Oklahoma. Our research is focusing on pattern and density of fractures, fracture control in drainage development, weathering and soil development, and fracture relationships with eco-hydrologic environments.