The Guatemala City sinkhole collapses

Abstract

In 2005, the residents and the neighborhoods of Zone 6 and Zone 2 in Guatemala City began to complain to the authorities about the rumbling and shaking in their homes. Guatemala is located in a seismic zone and has volcanic activity; these complaints were not taken seriously until February 22, 2007 when the first sinkhole collapse occurred in Zone 6. Many geologists, soils engineers, civil engineers, sanitary engineers, reporters, journalists and politicians theorized about the causes of this collapse. Investigations from professional organizations and professionals from various institutions gave different opinions without determining a cause or giving solutions for the collapse. One of the proposals called for filling the sinkhole immediately. Congress approved the budget to do the work and the work was completed. Unfortunately, by May 29, 2010, a second sinkhole collapse occurred in Zone 2 with terrible consequences, including a three-story building falling into it and the disappearance of at least three people. After this second phenomenon, information about the sewer system of the city was released by professionals involved in the design in the late 1970s. The sewer system was supposed to be extended but, due to costly financial burdens and change of authorities, the project was never finished as it was designed. Many of the manholes of the system were sealed with streets paved and/or filled for new urban developments. It is of high priority to thoroughly analyze the impact of the outdated sewer system on the current population to prevent the occurrence of another sinkhole.