Abstract
Sinkholes represent a geological risk that is often underrated, mainly due to its very localized nature. In fact, sinkholes occur only under particular circumstances and typically affect relatively small areas. Despite these characteristics, the difficulty in forecasting the precise location and timing of their sudden collapse creates serious problems for civil protection authorities and urban planners. In this framework, identifying the mechanism and thus the triggering factor of sinkholes is strategically pivotal in developing management plans. The present paper addresses the sinkhole-prone area of Il Piano (Elba Island, Central Italy). The integration of hydrogeological surveys, coupled with a thorough study of historical maps and aerial photographs, suggests that the main triggering factor in this area may not be related to water pumping from the karst aquifer, as initially hypothesized. Instead, sinkholes appear to be caused by ravelling and erosive processes occurring entirely in the sedimentary cover when heavy rainfall induces water overpressure within the superficial aquifer.
Highlights
Sinkholes are natural or anthropogenic ground collapses that occur due to a synergy of predisposing and triggering factors
The possible causes of the sinkholes occurring at Il Piano (Elba Island, Central Italy), where at least nine events have occurred since 2008, are discussed
A detailed study of historical aerial photographs and maps, supported by field surveys aimed at assessing the current setting of the area, has been carried out in order to identify forms possibly linkable to past sinkholes and to reconstruct the complex evolution of the drainage network, in order to contribute to the understanding of the trigger mechanisms
Summary
Sinkholes are natural or anthropogenic ground collapses that occur due to a synergy of predisposing and triggering factors. A detailed study of historical aerial photographs and maps, supported by field surveys aimed at assessing the current setting of the area, has been carried out in order to identify forms (such as circular lakes) possibly linkable to past sinkholes and to reconstruct the complex evolution of the drainage network, in order to contribute to the understanding of the trigger mechanisms. These investigations, focused on the surface runoff regime, were successively integrated with a detailed hydrogeological analysis for characterizing the aquifers, their interactions and their relations with rainfall and water pumping (Fig. 1). Ground displacement data (provided by satellite and ground-based interferometry; Intrieri et al 2015) were taken into account but not used for this work
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
