Alan

      There have been several other instances of 'crown holes' appearing
throughout the Co Durham and Tyne & Wear area. The explanation given by
geologists from 'The Mining Legacy Research Group' and the University of
Sunderland is that existing faults  are being reactivativated by rising
minewater levels. The mine water act as a  lubricant,  reduces friction,
and causes premature ground movement.

The work to-date indicates that these features do not have a random
distribution but that they form in areas where a specific combination of
geological phenomena occur.

The rising mine water levels are also approaching the Permian aquifer
overlying the Durham coal field and contamination of this water resource
could be a problem in the near future.

Brian Plemper

.




                      Alan Vickers
                      <alan.vickers@TISCAL        To:       [log in to unmask]
                      I.CO.UK>                    cc:
                      Sent by:                    Subject:  Pumping of underground minewater in East Durham.
                      mining-history
                      <mining-history@jisc
                      mail.ac.uk>


                      24/10/2003 10:15
                      Please respond to
                      "The mining-history
                      list."






The pumping of underground minewater is to be resumed in East Durham to
protect underground water sources.  The pumping was stopped in the mid
1990s when the area's coastal pit closed.  The Coal Authority is planning
to set up a temporary pumping station at Horden, near Peterlee, to deal
with rising mine water levels.  This will discharge into the sea from a
pipe running from the old shaft at Horden, the water will be treated to
avoid pollution of the sea.

In the longer term, the authority plans to build a permanent pumping system
for the area.  Four sites are being considered for this - Hawthorn,
Hawthorn Quarry, Dawdon and Horden.

Separate from the above, a large recurring crack in the carriageway of the
A690 road at the top of 'Houghton Cut', Houghton-le-Spring, is said by
geologists to be due to the rising levels of underground minewater in the
area.  A nearby pumping station at the former Nicholson's pit ceased
pumping some years ago.  The crack in the carriageway extends for quite a
distance on either side of the road.

Alan Vickers.


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