What is the difference between a pothole and sinkhole?

Answer 1

A pothole is a hole in a street caused by traffic and weather. It is caused by events above the street. A sinkhole is caused when land beneath the street is washed away or water empties out of a cave from beneath a street. In that case, the street falls down into the hole created when the road collapses when the ground gives way. Potholes are far easier to fix than sinkholes. Potholes need to be filled in and they are ready to be driven over. With sinkholes, the underlying problem must be filled in or the road must be rerouted. After the sinkhole is filled in or the road rerouted then the road must be rebuilt.

Answer 2

A pothole is a small, typically round hole in a road surface caused by wear and tear, while a sinkhole is a much larger and deeper hole in the ground that usually forms suddenly due to erosion underground. Sinkholes can be dangerous as they can swallow vehicles or even buildings, while potholes are more of a nuisance causing damage to vehicles.