Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Massive Sinkholes Swallowing Crops in Turkey
In a place called the Konya Plain in Turkey, there are many big holes in the ground called sinkholes.
These sinkholes are very large, more than 100 feet wide and hundreds of feet deep.
They started appearing in the early 2000s and have been growing in number.
Experts say this is happening because the groundwater is disappearing.
This is due to a lot of water being used for farming, especially for crops like sugar beets and corn.
The farmers are scared because these sinkholes are swallowing their crops.
The authorities are trying to stop people from digging illegal wells to save water.
Massive sinkholes, over 100 feet wide and hundreds of feet deep, are appearing in the Konya Plain, Turkey.
There are now 684 sinkholes in the region, with more than 20 new ones appearing in the past year.
The primary cause is the reduction in groundwater due to heavy irrigation for sugar beet and corn production.
Farmers are losing their crops to these sinkholes, causing fear and concern.
Authorities are working to reduce illegal well drilling to mitigate the problem.
- Who
- Farmers in the Konya Plain, Turkey
- What
- Massive sinkholes swallowing crops
- When
- Since the early 2000s, with a significant increase in recent years
- Where
- Konya Plain, particularly the Karapınar district
- Why
- Due to reduction in groundwater, drought, and climate change caused by heavy irrigation for sugar beet and corn production
- Location
- Konya Plain, Turkey
- Number of Sinkholes
- 684
- Size of Sinkholes
- More than 100 feet wide and hundreds of feet deep
- Primary Cause
- Reduction in groundwater due to heavy irrigation and climate change
- Impact on Farmers
- Loss of crops and fear among farmers
- Authorities' Response
- Working to reduce illegal well drilling