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13:14 GMT, Thursday, 8 May 2008 14:14 UK

In pictures: Texas sinkhole

Massive sinkhole near Daisetta, Texas, 7 May, 2008

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A massive sinkhole has opened up in south-eastern Texas in the US, swallowing up vehicles and oil field equipment.

Sinkhole near Daisetta, Texas, 7 May, 2008.

Sinkhole near Daisetta, Texas, 7 May, 2008.

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It is not clear what caused the collapse, but the history of the nearby community of Daisetta as a once-booming oil town may provide some of the clues.

Emergency crews monitor sinkhole 7 May 2008

Emergency crews monitor sinkhole 7 May 2008

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Officials are investigating whether an old salt dome, in which oil brine and natural gas are stored underground, was to blame.

A helicopter flies over sinkhole 7 May 2008

A helicopter flies over sinkhole 7 May 2008

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The resulting hole is thought to be at least 600ft (183m) long and 150ft (46m) deep.

A truck falls into sinkhole as a tractor is used to remove other equipment from the site 7 May 2008

A truck falls into sinkhole as a tractor is used to remove other equipment from the site 7 May 2008

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A truck, a tractor and telephone poles were swallowed up by the hole. Vehicles from a nearby main road had to be diverted, but there were no reports of any injuries.

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