Pothole
From Free net encyclopedia
Pothole can also be the sport of exploring vertical caves as a synonym of caving
Image:Potholeinlosangeles.jpg A pothole (sometimes called kettle and known in parts of the Western United States as a chuckhole) is a type of disruption in the surface of a roadway where a portion of the road material has broken away, leaving a hole. They are typically formed when water seeps into small cracks in the road surface and freezes to ice, exerting great pressure as it expands. Automobiles that travel over the weakened roadway can break off small pieces, causing further damage. If a pothole fills with water the erosion may be accelerated, as the water 'washes away' loose particles of road surface as vehicles pass. Potholes tend to become most apparent during spring months due to daily freeze-thaw cycles, standing water, and general difficulty of repairing potholes in cold or wet weather. However, potholes are a frequent occurrence anywhere in the world, including in the tropics, where poor construction or maintenance may be the main cause.
The number of potholes that appear in any particular stretch of roadway largely depends on the type of pavement used. Surfaces that absorb less water are generally less susceptible to the problem.
Potholes can grow to feet in width, though they usually only become a few inches deep, at most. If they become large enough, damage to tires and vehicle suspensions can occur.
There is also a geological formation known as a pothole, which is essentially an unusual form of cave.
There is also a formation in rivers called a pothole caused by a whirlpool eroding a hole into rock.