County: Ellsworth

Date: June 2002

Photographer: Greg Ohlmacher/KGS

Place Name:

Short description: Track collapse over blown-out mine shaft at Kanopolis in Ellsworth County. In 2000, an abandoned salt mine shaft next to the Acme Brick Company plant exploded and shot discarded bricks and other debris into the air, damaging nearby buildings and cars. Engineers think pressure generated from the buildup of water in the old mine increased to the point where the surface cap failed, and the released air caused the eruption.

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