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Marion County calls reappearance of giant sinkhole a 'complicated issue'

The sinkhole is south of a limestone quarry, which was believed to have caused the original sinkhole in May 2023.

MARION COUNTY, Iowa — A sinkhole in Marion County that first appeared in May 2023 has reopened in the same exact spot. 

Last year, the sinkhole was believed to be caused by a nearby limestone mine owned by Bruening Rock Products.

Earlier this month, another sinkhole appeared in nearly the exact same location south of Knoxville, according to a press release from Marion County, who directed the public to stay outside of the fenced area and to stay off of the private property around the sinkhole.

When the sinkhole first appeared last year, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) concluded that the limestone mine was the cause, refuting the original belief that it was an abandoned coal mine.

The sinkhole is found partially on a private homeowner's property, and the section of the mine that caused the collapse was previously reported as abandoned, Bruening Rock Products said.

After the sinkhole reopened, roads were blocked off by Iowa officials for safety reasons. 

The road has been closed since April 2023, and officials said it will remained closed until further notice as investigations into the sinkhole continue. 

"We understand the inconvenience this is causing and the economic impact this is having on our citizens," the county said in a statement. "However, Marion County must ensure the safety of people traveling in this area above all else."

"Marion County's exhaustive efforts into this complicated issue will continue in order to come to some type of resolution," the county concluded.

FROM 2023: Officials believe Marion County sinkhole was caused by limestone mine

RELATED: The only surviving victim of a metal pipe attack in Iowa has died, authorities say

Watch: Marion County sinkhole me be limestone mine (2023)

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