La. sinkhole quakes, cracks, collapse prompt removing workers

Louisiana’s Office of Conservation, in consultation with Assumption Parish Incident Command advised Saturday that Louisiana’s historic sinkhole appears to have undergone a growth event, indicated by a recent increase in earthquakes and cracks, prompting an order for personnel and equipment to be removed from the disaster site.

The Bayou Corne historic “sinkhole” appears to have grown, according to officials, who say this is indicated by a recent upswing in measured seismic activity.

The growth event follows a week of rain and flooding in South Louisiana, including in Assumption Parish.

Another previously noted “growth event” occurred after heavy rains and subsequent increased seismic activity. After Hurricane Isaac pounded South Louisiana with unprecedented heavy flooding in September, the “sinkhole” grew 400 square feet.

In October, a major growth event occurred after extra seismic activity was recorded, according to USGS monitors. At that time, 500 square feet caved into the giant hole on the SW side.

The so-called sinkhole is anticipated to grow as large as the size of 30 footbal fields, becoming a toxic lake.

Personnel and equipment removed from the disaster site for safety

Seismic activity in the collapsing Napoleonville Salt Dome vicinity began decreasing Saturday morning around the time more debris and crude oil was released to the top of the “sinkhole” and cracks appeared on the surface of the Oxy 3 well pad, directly above Texas Brine’s failed cavern and on the eastern side of the “sinkhole,” according to officials

“Monitoring of seismic activity and direct field observations from ground level and overflights are part of the ongoing response to determine the potential extent of this latest growth event – one of several observed since the formation of the sinkhole,” officials said in an update of the disaster Saturday. “Observations indicate that the current growth event is centered on the east side of the sinkhole – possibly related to shifting of salt and material within the cavern collapse zone.”

“The number and strength of sharp seismic events dropped markedly after debris and hydrocarbons were released from the sinkhole.”

Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in association to the oil and gas industry manmade disaster in the Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou communities that began in June.

Officials said impacts at the “sinkhole” surface on the eastern side will continue to be monitored closely.

After seeing the well pad surface cracks on the southwestern corner of the Oxy 3 well pad, the state’s Office of Conservation advised that personnel and equipment should be removed from the site to ensure safety while observation and analysis of the growth event continue.

“Though the exact timing and extent of episodic growth events cannot be predicted, the Office of Conservation and its consultants had identified the Oxy 3 well pad as being within the area of potential sinkhole growth,” the statement said.

Officials say they are maintaining “constant monitoring of subsurface conditions and activity for signs of instability in order to act quickly to protect the safety of the public and workers on site.”

On Jan. 30 at 6:00 P.M., a public meeting will be held at the Assumption Parish Community Center for Texas Brine officials to provide information about their activities.

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Human Rights news reporter Deborah Dupré is author of “Vampire of Macondo, Life, crimes and curses in south Louisiana that Powerful Forces Don’t want you to know,” packed with censored stories about the BP-wrecked Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico that continues causing catastrophic human and environmental devastation.

See the “Vampire of Macondo” book trailer, “First book to reveal BP Gulf Oil Human Rights Abuses.”

Follow Dupré on Twitter @DeborahDupre. For radio and television interviews, email[email protected].