Splitsville: 2-Mile-Long Crack Opens in Arizona Desert

[Judi Lynn]

By Jeanna Bryner, Live Science Managing Editor | January 27, 2017 02:32pm ET




Drone footage revealed the extent of the earth fissure that opened up in the desert in Arizona.
Credit: Arizona Geological Survey


A gaping, 2-mile-long crack has opened in the barren earth in Arizona, and it will likely continue to grow, geologists say.

Recent footage from a flyover by an Arizona Geological Survey drone revealed the extent of the huge fissure in Pinal County, between Casa Grande and Tucson, showing the enormous gash splitting the barren land. The crack is so big that it dwarfs people walking along its edges in the video.

The northern part of the fissure, which is older and partially filled in, is shallow, while the southern portion is tens of feet deep in some spots, according to Joseph Cook, a geologist with the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS). [Check Out Insane Photos of Sinkholes]

"Some areas are about 10 feet [3 meters] across and up to 25-30 feet [7.5 to 9 m] deep (tapering crack, narrowing with depth), while others are a narrow surface crack less than an inch across," Cook told Live Science in an email. "These narrow sections sometimes have open voids underground, so collapse of the overlying material is possible — this is how the deep open portions of the fissure formed."

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[Xipe Totec]

1. Great place to look for fossils! nt

[TexasProgresive]

2. Be neat if one opened up under the massive wall that Mexico will never pay for.