TRI-STATE (WFIE) -
In case you missed this, there was a massive sinkhole in Ohio this week that devoured several acres of land. We've gotten a lot of Facebook comments from viewers asking if this means we could soon see an earthquake along the New Madrid fault line?
It's a scary sight, but the giant sinkhole, estimated to be about 4 football fields in size, has formed in Dover, Ohio. It has some people worried that this could mean an earthquake in the Tri-State is near.
But is there a link between sinkholes and earthquakes?
Dr. Paul doss at the University of Southern Indiana says the answer is, no.
"It is very difficult for me to envision there is any sort of a linkage at all," said Dr. Paul Doss, USI Geology Professor. "We have no evidence what so ever that anything like this would be a precursor to an earthquake. If an earthquake were to happen now, it would be purely coincidence," said Dr. Doss.
Of course EMO officials say it's always good to be prepared, just in case.
"Get under a table or something sturdy, duck cover and hold," said Sherman Greer, EMA.
Because of Evansville's close proximity to the New Madrid fault line, the EMA and other state agencies have been planning for years for the possibility of an earthquake.
"We have an earthquake annex, said Greer. "All of the districts in southern Indiana have information on what to do in an earthquake type situation."
So at least according to these guys, you can sleep tight tonight.
Professor Doss says from his research, it seems like the "sinkhole" in Ohio wasn't even a sinkhole, but rather related to nearby mining operation.
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There was a massive sinkhole in Ohio this week that devoured several acres of land.
