The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection urges homeowners to check updated mine maps to determine if their home or other buildings are at risk of mine subsidence.

Over 1 million homes in Pennsylvania sit atop abandoned mines, and many in Carbon and Schuylkill counties sit on areas formerly mined.Mine subsidence occurs when the ground above an old or abandoned mine cavity collapses. A subsidence event can occur at any time and cause sudden, significant damage - often exceeding $100,000 or total loss of the structure.Mine subsidence is not covered by a standard homeowner's insurance policy. DEP administers low-cost mine subsidence insurance coverage through the state. The average policy of $160,000 costs about $7 a month, and senior citizens are eligible for discounted rates."If you've checked before and think your property is not at risk, now is the time to check again," said John Stefanko, deputy secretary of active and abandoned mine operations. "We've revamped the maps on the Mine Subsidence Insurance website for a more interactive and precise view."Using geographic information systems online, DEP combines location data with mining data to show where specific properties are in relation to old and abandoned mines.Processing thousands of paper maps into a digital format and uploading the data into the GIS system takes time.The website regularly updates as historical maps and risk areas are discovered.Homeowners should visit

www.pamsi.org or call 800-922-1678 to check if their home is over an abandoned mine and for more information on the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program.