The Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole is a sinkhole near Sedona, Arizona on the Soldier Pass Trail in the Coconino National Forest. Formed in the late 1880s, It is one of the at least seven sinkholes surrounding the city.[3] The sinkhole is about 660 ft (200 m) deep, but enters a cave that adds 180 ft (55 m), for a total of 840 ft (260 m).[2] Its interior contains vegetation.[4][5]
Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole | |
|---|---|
 The sinkhole in 2024 | |
  Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole  Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole | |
| Coordinates: 34°53′11″N 111°46′57″W / 34.8864°N 111.7825°W | |
| Location | Soldier Pass Trail, Coconino National Forest |
| Age | ~130-140 years |
| Formed by | Subsidence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13,800 ft (4,200 m)[1] |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 150 ft (46 m)[1] |
| • Width | 92 ft (28 m)[1] |
| • Depth | 660 ft (200 m) 840 ft (260 m) (including cave) |
| Elevation | 4,510 ft (1,370 m) (top)[2] |
Geology
editThe sinkhole was formed by subsidence into caverns of paleokarst composed of Redwall Limestone of the Pennsylvanian subperiod.[3] After the second collapse, a large block was displaced. Many of the edges of the broken-off rocks were very angular. This was different on the south wall, however, as it had rounded rocks instead. In addition, many of the surfaces on the south wall also contained a patina of manganese oxide, inferring that the area was exposed over a few hundred years.[2] Following collapses will not cause the sinkhole to become deeper, instead widening it.[6]
The walls on the upper area of the sinkhole are made out of sandstone from the Schnebly Hill Formation, while the lower areas are made from shaly siltstone of the Hermit Formation.[2]
History
editThe initial collapse occurred in the early 1880s. The first person to view the new landform was Jim James. A second collapse happened in late 1989, opening the cave by around forty percent in the northern section.[1][7] The United States Forest Service conducted a geologic study of the sinkhole in 1990 to prevent visitors from falling victim to a spontaneous sinkhole forming.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d An interpretive sign near the sinkhole. An image can be found here Archived February 25, 2024, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b c d e Lindberg, Paul A. "Devils Kitchen Sinkhole - Sedona, AZ: A Potential Geohazard". Arizona Geological Survey. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b "Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole, Sedona, Arizona". Arizona Geological Survey. August 18, 2021. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Lawrence, Katie (April 3, 2023). "There Are More Red Rocks Than There Are Miles Along This Beautiful Hiking Trail In Arizona". OnlyInYourState. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Pasche, Rachel (September 18, 2020). "See Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole In Sedona From An Entirely New Angle - Narcity". Narcity. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Maresh, Michael (January 8, 2010). "Expert predicts Devils Kitchen growth". Sedona Red Rock News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "10Adventures Hiking Route Guide: Devil's Kitchen, Sedona". 10Adventures. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
