Texas Brine blames tremors for cavern failure

Officials say tremors recorded in Assumption Parish since late May could be why a brine cavern encased within the Napoleonville salt dome failed and caused a massive sinkhole.

Texas Brine Co. spokesman Sonny Cranch said Tuesday a tool used to measure the depth of the cavern bottomed out 1,300 feet higher than anticipated. Cranch said the presence of this material indicates the cavern failed.

Cranch said seismic activity recorded near the area since late May could have caused the cavern's failure. The cavern was last measured in 2011 when it was plugged and abandoned by the Houston-based company.

The cavern was breached by an observatory well Sunday.

Parish officials say they aren't buying that explanation and are waiting from an official explanation from scientists.

The sinkhole appeared Aug. 3