How Serious is The Sinkhole Problem in Butte? 2 More Appear

BUTTE, MT - They open without warning—sometimes overnight, sometimes in broad daylight—and leave behind gaping holes that tell a deeper story.

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In Butte, America, these dramatic drops in the earth aren’t random acts of nature.

They’re modern-day callbacks of a past that built the city from the ground up...then hollowed it out.

Sinkholes are very real, and potentially very dangerous.

A City Built on a Hollowed Ground

Butte is obviously well known for its legendary mining history: rich in copper, silver, and gold.

But under the surface lies a tangled web of thousands of miles of tunnels and shafts, relics of the city’s peak mining era in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

While the mining industry may have faded, the infrastructure it left behind has not. Now, more than a century later, those very tunnels are collapsing, causing sinkholes to form in neighborhoods, streets, and even in public spaces.

What Causes Sinkholes and Worried Should We Be in Butte?

In general, sinkholes happen when underground support—like rock or soil—collapses and can no longer support the surface above.

In Butte’s case, many of the sinkholes are caused by old mining voids that were either poorly filled or never reinforced when mining ceased. Water seepage, erosion, and shifting soils over time speed up the process.

The danger? You often don’t see it coming until it’s too late.

Recent Incidents and Hotspots

Just this spring, multiple sinkholes opened up in Butte, including in the Quartz and Henry St. area.

One alarming case was reported along East Broadway Street, where the road had to be shut down momentarily.

What Can Residents Do?

If you notice cracking pavement, sagging yards, or unexplained shifts in your foundation, report it.

Early detection can prevent accidents and help engineers get ahead of potentially larger collapses.

Unfortunately, some insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by "mine subsidence," so it’s worth reviewing your coverage and speaking with your provider if you live in an older neighborhood near former mining zones.

A Risk Buried in Butte’s Past

Sinkholes in Butte are not just freak events—they’re part of a much larger, ongoing legacy.

The city’s history made it rich, but it also left behind risks we’re still uncovering today.

As Butte continues to grow and redevelop, the challenge will be balancing its bright future with the shadows beneath its surface.