New Jersey sinkhole: Photos show 40-foot-deep depression on Interstate 80

Eric Lagatta and Lori Comstock, USA TODAY
Updated
The sinkhole, which formed off the shoulder and right lane, is estimated to be about 40 feet wide and 40 feet deep.
The sinkhole, which formed off the shoulder and right lane, is estimated to be about 40 feet wide and 40 feet deep.

A massive sinkhole formed Thursday off the shoulder of a heavily trafficked interstate highway in New Jersey, forcing motorists to take detours to avoid the area.

The sinkhole formed after a section of the right lane and shoulder collapsed near the Wharton exit on Interstate 80 eastbound, about 40 miles west of New York City. Officials estimated that the depression stretched  40 feet wide and 40 feet deep.

As of Thursday, all lanes of I-80 eastbound were closed, forcing travelers to find alternate routes, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The department had not released an update as of early Friday morning, and it remains unclear what caused the sinkhole to form.

Start your day informed: Sign up for USA TODAY's Daily Briefing newsletter.

Photos show snarled traffic and crews at the scene evaluating the extent of the damage. Here's a look:

New Jersey: Major water main break in Edison, NJ leaves thousands without running water

See photos of New Jersey sinkhole

Heavy machinery is seen Thursday at the site of a massive sinkhole that formed off Interstate 80 in New Jersey, just west of New York City, as crews evaluate the depression to design a repair.
Heavy machinery is seen Thursday at the site of a massive sinkhole that formed off Interstate 80 in New Jersey, just west of New York City, as crews evaluate the depression to design a repair.
As of Thursday, all lanes of I-80 eastbound were closed and being detoured with motorists advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. It's not yet clear what caused the sinkhole to form.
As of Thursday, all lanes of I-80 eastbound were closed and being detoured with motorists advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. It's not yet clear what caused the sinkhole to form.
While the eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed while crews worked on fixing the sinkhole, the westbound lanes remained open for motorists.
While the eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed while crews worked on fixing the sinkhole, the westbound lanes remained open for motorists.
Crews prepare to use heavy machinery to begin repairing the large sinkhole. The depression is located off the shoulder of the double-lane roadway.
Crews prepare to use heavy machinery to begin repairing the large sinkhole. The depression is located off the shoulder of the double-lane roadway.
Sinkholes, deep depressions in the ground that open up when layers of certain types of rock dissolve beneath the surface and collapse, usually form over time by a phenomenon in which groundwater breaks down minerals in the underlying soluble rock. The dissolved minerals create spaces inside the rock, weakening it until it collapses.
Sinkholes, deep depressions in the ground that open up when layers of certain types of rock dissolve beneath the surface and collapse, usually form over time by a phenomenon in which groundwater breaks down minerals in the underlying soluble rock. The dissolved minerals create spaces inside the rock, weakening it until it collapses.
Sinkholes can range in diameter and depth. Some have vertical walls, others look like saucers or shallow basins, and some generate ponds by retaining water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Sinkholes can range in diameter and depth. Some have vertical walls, others look like saucers or shallow basins, and some generate ponds by retaining water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Traffic can be seen backing up Thursday on Interstate 80 due to a sinkhole near Wharton, New Jersey. In the past 15 years, sinkhole damage has cost an average of $300 million a year in the United States.
Traffic can be seen backing up Thursday on Interstate 80 due to a sinkhole near Wharton, New Jersey. In the past 15 years, sinkhole damage has cost an average of $300 million a year in the United States.
A sinkhole that formed on the eastbound side of I-80 near Wharton, New Jersey caused traffic snarls on the busy highway, about 40 miles west of New York City. Westbound lanes were unaffected.
A sinkhole that formed on the eastbound side of I-80 near Wharton, New Jersey caused traffic snarls on the busy highway, about 40 miles west of New York City. Westbound lanes were unaffected.
A sinkhole that formed on the eastbound side of I-80 near Wharton, New Jersey caused traffic snarls on the busy highway, about 40 miles west of New York City. Westbound lanes were unaffected.
A sinkhole that formed on the eastbound side of I-80 near Wharton, New Jersey caused traffic snarls on the busy highway, about 40 miles west of New York City. Westbound lanes were unaffected.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com.

Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Jersey sinkhole: See photos of large depression on Interstate 80

Advertisement