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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Ian Sample Science editor

What are sinkholes, how are they formed and why did one appear in a Surrey street?

The sinkhole in Godstone, Surrey
The sinkhole in Godstone, Surrey, sparked fears that severed cables could lead to an explosion. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

Residents of Godstone in Surrey have been evacuated from their homes amid fears that two large sinkholes in their high street could trigger a gas explosion. Here we look at what causes sinkholes, whether they are becoming more common and what can be done to prevent them.

What are sinkholes?

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