A
pothole (sometimes called
kettle and known in parts of the
Western United StatesThe Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
as a
chuckhole) is a type of disruption in the surface of a
roadA road is an identifiable route, way or path between places.
way where a portion of the road material has broken away, leaving a hole. Most potholes are formed due to
fatigue'In materials science, fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic loading...
of the
pavementRoad surface or pavement is the durable surface material laid down on an area intended to sustain traffic . Such surfaces are frequently marked to guide traffic. The most common modern paving methods are asphalt and concrete. In the past, brick was extensively used, as was metalling...
surface. As fatigue cracks develop they typically interlock in a pattern known as "alligator cracking". The chunks of pavement between fatigue cracks are worked loose and may eventually be picked out of the surface by continued wheel loads, thus forming a pothole. The formation of potholes is exacerbated by cold temperatures, as water expands when it freezes and puts more stress on cracked pavement. Once a pothole forms, it grows through continued removal of broken chunks of pavement. If a pothole fills with water the growth may be accelerated, as the water 'washes away' loose particles of road surface as vehicles pass. In temperate climates, potholes tend to form most often during
springSpring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Its days are close to twelve hours long with increasing day length, as it occurs near the time of an equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring runs from March into May, and in the Southern Hemisphere it...
months when the
subgradeIn transport engineering, subgrade is the native material underneath a constructed road, pavement or railway track. It is also called formation level.The term can also refer to imported material that has been used to build an embankment....
is weak due to high moisture content. However, potholes are a frequent occurrence anywhere in the world, including in the tropics.
Potholes can grow to feet in width, though they usually only become a few
inchAn inch is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, and United States customary units. There are 36 inches in a yard and 12 inches in a foot...
es deep, at most. If they become large enough, damage to
tireA tire is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
s and vehicle
suspensionSuspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose – contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
s occurs.
Other uses
Pothole (northern Britain) is also a term for a deep cave; from this sense, the derivation
potholing is a synonym for
cavingCaving—also known as spelunking in the United States—is the recreational sport of exploring caves. In contrast, speleology is the scientific study of caves and the cave environment.-Overview:...
and a
potholer is a caver.
Pothole (or
kettle-hole) is also a term for a formation in rivers caused by a whirlpool eroding a hole into rock. The abrasion is mainly caused by the circular motion of small sediments such as small stones in the river. The interiors of potholes tend to be smooth and regular, unlike a
plunge poolA plunge pool, also known as a waterfall lake, is a pool, lake, or pond that is small in diameter, but deep. Plunge pools are formed under the force of a vertical displacement of water, for example a waterfall or rapids. The swirling water, sometimes carrying rocks within it, erodes the riverbed...
. An example is the large pothole found in
Archbald, PennsylvaniaArchbald is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,220 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Archbald is located at ....
in
Archbald Pothole State ParkArchbald Pothole State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The focal point of the park is Archbald Pothole. The pothole is a remnant of the Wisconsin Glacial Period, deep with a largest diameter of by . It has drawn tourists since...
.
In the northern
Great PlainsThe Great Plains are the broad expanse of prairie and steppe which lie west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
of North America,
wetlandA wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely by shallow pools of water. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, and bogs, among others. The water found in wetlands can be saltwater, freshwater,...
s formed in glacial kettles are known as
prairie potholes.
The
Pothole is a well known sport fishing location in the tailwaters below
Powersite DamPowersite Dam is a hydroelectric dam that went into service in 1913 in Forsyth, Missouri. It is found along the White River and the reservoir it forms is Lake Taneycomo. It is the first hydroelectric dam built in Missouri.-Sources:...
in southwest
MissouriMissouri is a state in the Midwest region of the United States bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Missouri is the 18th most populous state with a 2008 estimated population of 5,911,605. It comprises 114 counties and one independent city....
. It is the uppermost portion of
Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake is a man-made lake or reservoir in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. It has hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves perfect for boating, water sports, swimming, and fishing...
.
"The holes in our roads" story from the
Daily MailThe Daily Mail is a British daily tabloid newspaper. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper, The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982. Scottish and Irish editions of the paper were launched in...
's 7 January 1967 edition reported that there were 4,000 potholes in
BlackburnBlackburn is a large town in Lancashire, England. It lies to the north of the West Pennine Moors on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, east of the city of Preston, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester. Blackburn is bounded to the south by Darwen, with which it forms the unitary...
,
LancashireLancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Lancashire County Council is based in Preston. However, Lancaster is still considered to be the county town...
. That story was mentioned in
The BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960 who became one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music...
's song
A Day in the Life“A Day in the Life” is a song by the British rock band The Beatles, the final track on the group's 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Credited to Lennon/McCartney, the song comprises distinct portions originally authored independently by John Lennon and Paul McCartney—two...
.
See also
- Big Apple Pothole and Sidewalk Protection Committee
The Big Apple Pothole and Sidewalk Protection Committee is an organization created by the New York State Trial Lawyers Association to map the sidewalks of New York City for defects capable of causing personal injury...
- Giants kettle
Giants kettle, also known as giants cauldrons or potholes, are cavities or holes which appear to have been drilled in the surrounding rocks by eddying currents of water-bearing stones, gravel and other detrital matter....
- Slough (wetland)
The word slough has several meanings related to wetland or aquatic features....
External links