The sinkhole detector detects the formation of sinkholes in the immediate vicinity of the sinkhole detector and generates an alarm when a sinkhole is detected. The sinkhole detector is partially buried in the ground such that if a sinkhole forms underneath the sinkhole detector a weight is released into the void created by the sinkhole. The release of the weight initiates an alarm signal that a sinkhole has appeared. The sinkhole detector comprises a weight, a cable, a housing, and a control circuit.