Abstract
New Jersey presents a uniquely complex sinkhole and ground subsidence hazard shaped by intersecting geological, industrial, and anthropogenic forces. Sinkhole herein refers primarily to collapse sinkholes, that is, the abrupt or progressive downward failure of the ground surface into subsurface voids, as distinct from solutional closed depressions of purely karst origin. This paper synthesizes five decades (1976-2026) of documented sinkhole and ground subsidence records across the state, examining root causes, societal and environmental impacts, and remediation strategies employed in response to such hazards. The review shows that New Jersey’s hazard is governed by three dominant mechanisms: karst dissolution in carbonate rocks of the northwestern counties; collapse of legacy mines; and utility-related subsidence in urbanized areas. Recent events, including the 2024–2025 I-80 Wharton mine-subsidence crisis and the 2026 Phillipsburg karst sinkhole emergency, demonstrate how localized subsurface voids can cause regional transportation disruptions, residential displacement, and substantial public repair costs. Common remediation responses include void grouting, compaction grouting, targeted geophysical investigation, borehole verification, utility repair, and post-remediation monitoring. The study identifies persistent gaps in New Jersey’s sinkhole-risk management framework, including incomplete mine records, fragmented incident reporting, limited public sinkhole databases, and uneven insurance coverage. The findings support a transition from reactive repair toward integrated hazard mapping, legacy-data recovery, condition monitoring, and risk-informed land-use and infrastructure planning.
Rights Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5038/9781967518012.1031
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Sinkhole Hazards, Risks, and Remediation: A Fifty-Year Case Study in New Jersey, USA
New Jersey presents a uniquely complex sinkhole and ground subsidence hazard shaped by intersecting geological, industrial, and anthropogenic forces. Sinkhole herein refers primarily to collapse sinkholes, that is, the abrupt or progressive downward failure of the ground surface into subsurface voids, as distinct from solutional closed depressions of purely karst origin. This paper synthesizes five decades (1976-2026) of documented sinkhole and ground subsidence records across the state, examining root causes, societal and environmental impacts, and remediation strategies employed in response to such hazards. The review shows that New Jersey’s hazard is governed by three dominant mechanisms: karst dissolution in carbonate rocks of the northwestern counties; collapse of legacy mines; and utility-related subsidence in urbanized areas. Recent events, including the 2024–2025 I-80 Wharton mine-subsidence crisis and the 2026 Phillipsburg karst sinkhole emergency, demonstrate how localized subsurface voids can cause regional transportation disruptions, residential displacement, and substantial public repair costs. Common remediation responses include void grouting, compaction grouting, targeted geophysical investigation, borehole verification, utility repair, and post-remediation monitoring. The study identifies persistent gaps in New Jersey’s sinkhole-risk management framework, including incomplete mine records, fragmented incident reporting, limited public sinkhole databases, and uneven insurance coverage. The findings support a transition from reactive repair toward integrated hazard mapping, legacy-data recovery, condition monitoring, and risk-informed land-use and infrastructure planning.