re: Assumption Parish sink hole environmental impact: Links in OP

They are saying that the collapsed cavern is nearly full. The sinkhole probably won't get any bigger in volume, but it is going to keep sloughing in and getting shallower/wider until the sides reach their critical angle of repose. If they know it is almost full, they have a good idea of the total volume of the whole. They should be able to determine the critical angle of repose with no big issues. Combining that information, you should be able to determine a fairly accurate final width and depth of the sinkhole. Now, how long is takes to equalize is anyone's guess.

Also, my big concern is that the sinkhole may be exposing the dome to freshwater. Hopefully the cracks have not exposed it to subterranean water. If it is only surface water, it may dissolve more of the dome, but the brine has a higher density and will sink. At some point, the brine will reach critical salinity. That brine will be very heavy, creating a buffer between fresh water and exposed salt. However, if there is anyway for the water to move past the salt, this thing is very far from over, but nobody is really saying that right now.

Good info.

Thanks