Horrifying natural phenomenon: earth suddenly cracks, fields collapse into massive craters, livelihoods at risk
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A terrifying scene of nature has emerged from Indonesia's Central Aceh Regency. The ground here suddenly started sinking and within no time a huge crater has formed in the middle of the lush green fields. This terrifying crater has spread over an area of about three hectares and the surrounding fields are continuously getting submerged in it. Due to soil erosion, there is a situation of continuous landslides here. Drone images from Ketol district clearly show how the lush green fields have now turned into a deep and devastating crater.
Serious threat looms over farmers' livelihood
This devastating natural disaster has devastated local farmers. The constant sinking of fields has created a significant livelihood crisis. Sumiyati, a 40-year-old female farmer, expressed her grief, saying her entire chili crop has been destroyed. She has appealed to the government for compensation or new land, as she says it is completely uncertain whether she will be able to grow anything there in the future. According to local farmers, landslides occur continuously, whether it rains or not. Due to the lack of rocks in the soil, whenever the ground sinks, a loud rumble resembling an earthquake is heard. Hundreds of laborers depend on farming in this area for their livelihood, so they have appealed to the administration to take concrete action as soon as possible.
Why is the earth cracking and what is the opinion of geologists?
Geologists have expressed concern over this dire situation and have revealed the reasons behind it. They say that the interior of this area is a mixture of volcanic tuff and sand that easily absorbs groundwater. This water absorption weakens the internal slope, increasing the risk of sudden land collapse. Experts have warned that this structure resembles a classic sinkhole. If the flow of water is not controlled in time, this crater could become even larger and the scope of devastation could increase manifold.
How sinkholes form and where have such incidents occurred recently?
Sinkholes typically form when water dissolves or erodes underground. This creates a void that suddenly collapses due to the pressure from above. Such occurrences are more common in limestone karst regions, volcanic and sandy soils that absorb water rapidly. Sinkholes are also prone to form in areas experiencing heavy rainfall, flooding, or excessive groundwater extraction. Similar horrific incidents have been witnessed elsewhere recently. Just recently, on February 11, 2026, a video of a massive sinkhole in southern China went viral, capturing global attention. Previously, on November 25, 2025, a large section of road near the Twin Bridges area in West Sumatra caved in after heavy rains and floods, creating a 20- to 30-meter-wide gap and completely halting traffic.