Mining expert Stuart Dann, who carries out surveys around the county, described how Cornwall is full of old mines which have been completely forgotten over the centuries.
'There was nothing there at all that shows there was a shaft,' he said. 'The shaft opened up when experts were drilling down the patio.
'The old maps often clearly detail the layout of various mines and where shafts are. It is these maps which mean the difference between buying a house which might fall down a hole, or one which sits on firm ground.
Ironically, the shaft is called "New Shaft" on very old maps.
'Structural engineers are deciding the future of the bungalow but cracks suggest that it may be joining a flooded piece of history, hundreds of metres underground.'
Tin has been mined in Cornwall since prehistoric times, and during the Industrial Revolution it became one of the most important natural resources in Britain, although the industry is no longer active.
Since the sinkhole first opened up, the patio and half of the garage have fallen down the mineshaft.
The shaft leads 300ft down to a flooded mine. It is unclear how far the mine extends below the water's surface - must be deep, considering the house rubble was swallowed without a trace.
It appears I was mistaken in my initial reading of the article: the mineshaft dates to the Industrial Revolution in the 17th century.
Kyleykinz on December 6th, 2019 at 18:31 UTC »
Looks an awful lot like that video I saw here earlier today of the guy blowing up his backyard
TwoSquareClocks on December 6th, 2019 at 18:34 UTC »
Since the sinkhole first opened up, the patio and half of the garage have fallen down the mineshaft.
The shaft leads 300ft down to a flooded mine. It is unclear how far the mine extends below the water's surface - must be deep, considering the house rubble was swallowed without a trace.
It appears I was mistaken in my initial reading of the article: the mineshaft dates to the Industrial Revolution in the 17th century.
A drone video flying over the hole can be found here: https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2016/03/14/7780756734735595956/640x360_7780756734735595956.mp4
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3491246/Amazing-pictures-300ft-Cornish-mineshaft-captured-drone.html
EgoDefenseMechanism on December 6th, 2019 at 19:13 UTC »
That's...terrifying. Imagine just playing with your dog in your yard, and then that opens up beneath you.