DISASTERS

Erosion causes dangerous sinkhole on cliff in Pacifica

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A sinkhole on the side of a cliff above the ocean is viewed Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Pacifica, Calif. Large waves, known as king tides, could have caused a sinkhole that emerged over the weekend on the coast south of San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

A pump is used to deliver concrete and sand to a sinkhole Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Pacifica, Calif. Large waves, known as king tides, could have caused a sinkhole that emerged over the weekend on the coast south of San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

People stand at the edge of a cliff to get a view of a sinkhole Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, in Pacifica, Calif. Large waves, known as king tides, could have caused a sinkhole that emerged over the weekend on the coast south of San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

Large waves, known as king tides, could have caused a sinkhole that emerged over the weekend on the coast south of San Francisco.

KNTV reports (http://bit.ly/2gydWma ) Monday that the hazardous sinkhole emerged Saturday on a cliff in Pacifica. The sinkhole closed access to a popular beach and caused concerns about recurring erosion due to heavy rains and high waves.

Weather forecasters say the king tides are expected to peak Tuesday or Wednesday.

The station reports that with another storm looming off the coast this week, officials do not have an estimated time for the beach's reopening.

A Pacifica apartment complex was demolished in March after erosion along the cliffs made the area unsafe. Pacifica city leaders later declared a state of emergency.

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Information from: KNTV-TV.