DENR to study ‘sinkhole’ in Zambales

CANDELARIA, Zambales — It might take awhile for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to establish the cause of a supposed ‘sinkhole’ that appeared near Puerta Del Mar, a beach resort in the town of Candelaria, Zambales.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) director Leo Jasareno said that the study to establish a scientific basis on the beach slump, which residents first noticed last Saturday, June 22, will take at least three days conclude.

He said that the team of geologists sent by the MGB in the area are “studying the rock formations” along the beach to determine if there is going to be a re-occurrence of the incident.

Jasareno also reported that witnesses have told MGB that when the beach collapsed and the sand was swept to the sea it also “emitted fine gas bubbles with sulfurous odor.”

He said the release of methane was possibly caused by methane trapped between limestone deposits that got free when the erosion occurred.

Meanwhile, affected area which is about 80 to 100 meters wide, has now been cordoned off and restricted to residents as well as tourists, while the study is being conducted.

But Jasareno explained that the situation on the ground is already stable and that one theory they are looking at is that it was brought on by the strength of tidal waves in the area, which impacted the coastline and swept off the sand into the sea. – Rappler.com