On Friday, December 27, a 40-foot wide and 12-meter deep sinkhole appeared along the Eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Wharton, New Jersey. Because much of New Jersey has been constructed over mine shafts, it is known as the Iron Mountain Region. The collapse of an abandoned mineshaft caused the sinkhole, forcing drivers to delays of over an hour, according to officials (NorthJersey.com).
Willaim S. Bayley, a writer for IronMinesinNewJersey.com, informs many of the history of the Mines located within New Jersey, especially within Morris County. English settler Robert Morris founded the Iron Works within Tinton Falls, Monmouth County in 1685. Within Wharton, New Jersey many Ore Bodies were housed; “Ore bodies are portions of the ore veins that are rich enough to warrant mining” (Dep.nj.gov). Some possible mines that were open from the I-80 sinkhole include The Lurk Mine, J.D. King Mine, Irondale Mine, and Meriden Mine as they are all located within Wharton, Morris County, New Jersey.
The cause of a sinkhole as gigantic as the one we encountered is the loss of ground support due to an excess of water caused by rainfall, making the material of the rocks spread out and eventually collapse. Ramapo’s Biology teacher, Mr. Jager states, “The night prior, I drove over the highway, and am thankful that no one was injured. Yet, knowing Jersey is filled with underground mines with a combination of groundwater depletion, it doesn’t surprise me that we encountered a sinkhole. Underground water being the main cause of sinkholes is one of the many reasons why Florida is known to experience common sinkholes.” Ramapo Junior, Lindsay Shoiock personally states, “ My father was affected by the sinkhole on I-80. He used to have a short commute, but now with the road closed, it takes him almost twice as long to get to work every day.”
New Jersey officials are still uncertain when the highway will reopen because of the extent of the damage. Many crew workers claim that the only way the road will be fully repaired and functional again is if the weather cooperates, allowing construction workers to do their jobs (NorthJersey.com).
Construction workers are doing their best in trying to prevent another outburst of sinkholes from appearing in Jersey. However, with an abundance of underground mines below many of our highways, there is no telling what will happen in the future.
