Ground penetrating radar (GPR) study to detect seepage pathways in the Ajanta Caves in India

Abstract

The present study used the ground penetrating radar (GPR) tool to decipher the presence of fractures which may be possible pathways for seepage into the Ajanta Caves in India. GPR data were collected by 40- and 200-MHz antennas from Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. (GSSI). The data were edited and processed using the RADAN 6.5 software. The processed data indicate the presence of fractures of varying orientation in the basaltic formations. The study shows high reflection zones indicative of fractures as well as strong absorbance zones which may be a homogeneous zone without any fractures.