# Sinkhole *Generic Hazard* Sinkholes occur when sand fills the top half of a large cavity in rock or other hard earth. When a creature steps onto the sand, the ground collapses down into the bottom half of the cavity, injuring those caught in the sinkhole and leaving them stranded below the surface. As a [Search](/3-Mechanics/CLI/actions.md#Search) action, a creature can detect a sinkhole with a successful DC 15 Wisdom ([Perception](/3-Mechanics/CLI/skills.md#Perception)) check. Once a sinkhole is spotted, it can usually be avoided by moving around it. A creature that walks onto a sinkhole must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity check or fall 10 feet to the bottom of the sinkhole. A creature without a Climb Speed can climb out of the sinkhole with a successful DC 15 Strength ([Athletics](/3-Mechanics/CLI/skills.md#Athletics)) check. ## At Higher Levels You can scale the hazard for higher levels by increasing the sinkhole's depth, as shown in the following table. | Levels | Sinkhole Depth | |--------|----------------| | 5–10 | 30 feet | | 11–16 | 60 feet | | 17–20 | 120 feet | ^levels-sinkhole-depth *Source: Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn p. 135*