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Sell Your MachinesWed May 16, 2018
Emily Buenzle
A Kubota mini-excavator fell victim to a sinkhole on a construction site May 14.
The incident occurred in a parking lot where crews were digging to repair a water main at the Shops at Riverside mall in Hackensack, N.J.
According to officials, the sinkhole occurred because of the water main break, NECN reported. Although much of the mini excavator's cab can be seen in the sinkhole, officials said that no one was injured.
How Sinkholes Form
Sinkholes are created when water erodes layers of rock beneath the ground. Sinkholes can occur naturally on land supported by a soft underground layer of rock, like rock salt or limestone, according to National Geographic.
However, manmade sinkholes are the product of building endeavors that have "compromised the structural integrity of underlying rock," National Geographic reported. The construction of roads, buildings and more can cause water to collect, which then washes away rock layers, causing sinkholes to form.
This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.