Characterizing Sagging and Collapse Sinkholes in a Mantled Karst by Means of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2014 Characterizing Sagging and Collapse Sinkholes in a Mantled Karst by Means of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) V. RODRIGUEZ; V. RODRIGUEZ 1 Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain 1Corresponding author email: veronicarodtrib@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar F. GUTIÉRREZ; F. GUTIÉRREZ Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. G. GREEN; A. G. GREEN ETH Zürich, Institute of Geophysics, Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. CARBONEL; D. CARBONEL Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H. HORSTMEYER; H. HORSTMEYER ETH Zürich, Institute of Geophysics, Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. SCHMELZBACH C. SCHMELZBACH ETH Zürich, Institute of Geophysics, Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2014) 20 (2): 109–132. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.20.2.109 Article history first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation V. RODRIGUEZ, F. GUTIÉRREZ, A. G. GREEN, D. CARBONEL, H. HORSTMEYER, C. SCHMELZBACH; Characterizing Sagging and Collapse Sinkholes in a Mantled Karst by Means of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2014;; 20 (2): 109–132. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.20.2.109 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract Sinkhole development created by diverse subsidence mechanisms (suffosion, collapse, sagging) constitutes the main hazard in most karst terrains. Precisely mapping the limits of sinkholes and inferring the subsidence mechanisms are critically important for the effective mitigation of sinkhole risk. Gathering this information commonly requires the application of subsurface investigation methods, such as geophysics or trenching. Here, we analyze the potential of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for sinkhole characterization in covered karsts. Extensive GPR surveys have been conducted across two buried active sinkholes of contrasting genetic types (collapse vs. sagging) in the mantled evaporite karst of Zaragoza city, NE Spain. Data were acquired with 100 MHz and 50 MHz unshielded antennas and ∼180 MHz shielded antennas. Interpretation of the processed GPR profiles allowed us to map reliably the boundaries of the sinkholes, characterize their internal geometries (deformation style), infer the subsidence mechanisms, and estimate subsidence magnitudes. The suitability and limitations of the GPR technique in covered karsts are illustrated considering different sinkhole types and sizes, as well as data acquired with different antennas (shielded versus unshielded and various frequencies). You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.