Chalk mining

Chalk mining was widespread in Britain in the 19th century because of the large amount of construction underway (and the Industrial Revolution).

Because of chalk's softness, picks and shovels were used to excavate tunnels.

Stepped slabs were dug into the chalk, allowing many miners to dig at the same time.

Care had to be taken to avoid collapse, and places in which the chalk was soft were simply abandoned.

[2] A link was reported in the United Kingdom in 2017 between sinkholes opening up and the location of former chalk mines.