After a Massive Sinkhole's Quick Fix, More Sinking

"Blink and you'll miss it," the Guardian declared. Er, maybe not. After around-the-clock work reverted what was a massive sinkhole into a driveable section of road in Fukuoka, Japan, in just a week, the road seems to be sinking once more. The BBC reports the road sank by 2.7 inches on Saturday, which officials describe as "within expectations." Even so, a portion of the road was closed for part of the day.

The Guardian reported earlier this month that after the hole—which opened up on Nov. 8—was filled with roughly 220,000 cubic feet of sand and cement, the mayor proclaimed the ground underneath 30 times stronger than before. Local officials now suggest the substance used to fill the hole potentially compressed the soil at the hole's base, hence the new drop. CNN reports Mayor Soichiro Takashima posted an apology on Facebook for not explaining more sinking was possible. The road is currently open. (A deadly sinkhole returned in a more dramatic fashion in Florida.)