Scientists are investigating a giant sinkhole in northern Chile that terrified locals claim is still growing.
The mysterious sinkhole, which currently stands at 25-metres-wide and 200 metres deep, appeared in the commune of Tierra Amarilla, in Atacama Region, close to the Alcaparrosa copper mine.
Local mayor Cristobal Zuniga reported: "Yesterday [Saturday, 30 July] we received a citizen complaint regarding a sinkhole that would have occurred here in our community near the Alcaparrosa mine.
"We are concerned, since it is a fear that we have always had as a community, the fact we are surrounded by mining deposits and subterranean works under our community."
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Mayor Zuniga added: "It is still active, it is still growing and it is something that has not previously been seen in our community."
Atacama Region official Gerardo Tapia has reportedly ordered the National Geology and Mining Service to establish why the sinkhole appeared.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported and officials continue to monitor the hole, which was first detected on 30 July.
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On Monday (1 August), the mine's owners, Lundin Mining Corporation, confirmed mining work in the area has been suspended in a statement.
They said: "Upon detection, the area was immediately isolated and the relevant regulatory authorities notified.
"There has been no impact to personnel, equipment or infrastructure.
"The surficial sinkhole has remained stable since detection. Minera Ojos del Salado is conducting a technical analysis and gathering information to determine the cause of the event."
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In May, scientists discovered an entire forest inside a 630 foot deep giant sinkhole in China.
The sinkhole contains a load of ancient trees and plants that could well include some species that have never been discovered before.
Located in Leye County, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China, the sinkhole was discovered by cave explorers on 6 May, who found three cave entrances inside the 1,004 feet long and 492 feet wide void.
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Speaking to Live Science, expedition leader Chen Lixin said: “I wouldn’t be surprised to know that there are species found in these caves that have never been reported or described by science until now". He added that some the trees found in the forest were nearly 130 foot tall.
George Veni, the executive director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, told Live Science that differences in geology, climate and other factors meant that karst – a terrain that's dissolving bedrock can result in such sinkholes – can be dramatically different depending on where it is.
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"In China you have this incredibly visually spectacular karst with enormous sinkholes and giant cave entrances and so forth.
"In other parts of the world you walk out on the karst and you really don’t notice anything. Sinkholes might be quite subdued, only a meter or two in diameter.
"Cave entrances might be very small, so you have to squeeze your way into them.”
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Lisa McLoughlin