Will the Great Black Hawk Gypsum Sinkhole eat Interstate 90? Anything could happen, suggests Dr. Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahadi of Montana Technical University:
An abandoned gypsum mine in Blackhawk may extend farther than known mapped areas indicate to the northeast, east and southeast sides, a geophysical study shows.
“Based on the information obtained in this research, there is also the possibility that the mine extends below the interstate,” the study states [staff, “Abandoned Gypsum Mine Could Extend Beneath Interstate, Study Says,” Rapid City Journal, 2021.06.19].
The geological engineer’s June 10 report says “there are other possible indicators of subsidence throughout the subdivision, e.g., growing cracks on the roads and sidewalks.” Dr. Sadeghiamirshahadi says water underground dissolved the gypsum that was holding up the Hideaway Hills neighborhood. Water is preventing direct confirmation of whether the old mine extends under I-90, since the eastern part of the mine, between the housing development and the highway, is flooded. Researchers have thus had to use “non-destructive geophysical methods”—electromagnetic sensing—to try to map the extent of the old mine. However, the study zap zone appears to end right at the edge of the southbound on-ramp to I-90. The results mapped are all west of the highway. The mine appears to end pretty sharply toward the west, gypsum has been and continues to be mined toward the east, and the water table appears to run toward the northeast. Those factors all suggest that the abandoned mine could extend east under I-90 and that the ground water could pose a risk of sinking the highway, but none of Dr. Sadeghiamirshahadi’s maps put a hot red danger zone under the road.
Given our state’s overall preference for business over caution, we shouldn’t let the mere possibility that Black Hills motorists could find themselves cast into the fiery pits of Hell get in the way of a good trip to Sturgis. Heck, the great gypsum pits of Black Hawk could be our Next Big Thing! We advertised last year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a death-defying event for real coronavirus rebels; this year, let’s brand I-90 north of Rapid as Hell’s Canyon and put out posters saying, “Come to Sturgis—If You Dare!!!” Right next to the Black Hawk off-ramps, we could install some Black Hawk up-ramps, honest-to-goodness Evel Knievel launching ramps where bikers could leap Black Hawk entirely, whether or not a new sinkhole opens up to swallow Black Hawk and the Peaceful Pines Exit!
It’s a common disaster merry-go-round I’ve experienced first hand in South Dakota. One thing you can be sure of in South Dakota is the money boys make money off disaster, and the politicians get a cut. No one is held accountable. No one learns a goddamn thing. The scenario repeats, because the money boys and the politicians make out like bandits, and have no accountability for their irresponsibility. The people who pay are the taxpayers and the people who trusted the business shysters and the political shysters.
You know Cory, those homeowners were gypped.
Ryan Capes left the building a few feet short of his intended landing spot. RIP.
https://heavy.com/sports/2020/05/ryan-capes-dead/#:~:text=Ryan%20Capes%2C%20the%20one%2Dtime,to%20the%20motocross%20star's%20mother.
Maybe some far sighted mine owner planned to build a BHunnel, a future tunnel under the Black Hills.
This case is going to stretch the ability of the governness’ GOED budget aways! The state, Meade Co and realty development are going to feel this one, I think!
It’s still being mined? I had a close friend who worked as a teenager in a gypsum mine, in Vermont. His death from lung disease was attributed to that exposure.
GYPSUM : Danger
: H350 – May cause cancer (Inhalation).
H372 – Causes damage to organs (lung/respiratory system, kidneys) through prolonged or repeated exposure (Inhalation).
: P202 – Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. P260 – Do not breathe dust.
P264 – Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling.
P270 – Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product.
P280 – Wear respiratory protection, eye protection, protective clothing, protective gloves. P308+P313 – If exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.
P405 – Store locked up.
P501 – Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local, regional, national, territorial, provincial, and international regulations.
Breathing dust may cause nose, throat or lung irritation, including choking, depending on the degree of exposure. Individuals with lung disease (e.g. bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, pulmonary disease) or sensitivity to hexavalent chromium can be aggravated by exposure.