Sinkhole opens under Queensland highway

A sinkhole has forced the closure of one of Queensland's main highways.

Queensland Police said they first received reports of the sinkhole on the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Proserpine near the Whitsundays about 7.15pm yesterday.

Just one lane was initially closed before it became clear the hole was expanding, and a whole section of highway was shut down.

Even though Queensland Police described the damage as a "sinkhole" on its Facebook page, photographs published on social media sparked debate about whether it was just a large pothole, The Courier-Mail reports.

The 2m-wide hole was reported to be growing last night, police said, with engineers and geologists expected to inspect the site this morning.

The sinkhole reportedly opened up near a bridge that crosses a creek, leading some locals to speculate that it was related to flooding from Cyclone Ita.

Sinkholes normally occur as part of a natural process where water erodes the earth or bedrock, forming an underground cave and causing the ground above it to collapse.

Potholes are far more common along the Bruce Highway, local media report.

Traffic has been diverted inland, through Collinsville.

No one has been hurt.

Sources: The Courier-Mail, Brisbane Times.