Research Article| June 01, 1968 A Microwave Radiometric Study of Buried Karst Topography J. M KENNEDY J. M KENNEDY Space-General Division, Aerojet-General Corp., El Monte, California Author's present address: Ryan Aeronautical Co., 1840 Nasa Blvd., Suite 100, Houston, Texas Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. M KENNEDY Author's present address: Ryan Aeronautical Co., 1840 Nasa Blvd., Suite 100, Houston, Texas Space-General Division, Aerojet-General Corp., El Monte, California Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 07 Sep 1967 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1968, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1968) 79 (6): 735–742. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1968)79[735:AMRSOB]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 07 Sep 1967 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 J. M KENNEDY; A Microwave Radiometric Study of Buried Karst Topography. GSA Bulletin 1968;; 79 (6): 735–742. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1968)79[735:AMRSOB]2.0.CO;2 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Theoretical studies and some microwave measurements of soil penetration capabilities suggested that microwave radiometers may be able to detect subsurface voids associated with karst development beneath relatively thick soil cover. However, from a theoretical aspect, it is difficult to model the effects of surface roughness, moisture content, vegetation coverage, and a nonhomogeneous sky. To prove the potential of microwave surveys in locating and mapping subsurface voids, a mobile laboratory unit was used to obtain in situ data. This unit is equipped with passive microwave radiometers operating at 13.4 GHz (2.22 cm), 37 GHz (8.1 mm), and 94 GHz (3.2 mm), as well as geophysical support equipment.An area near the town of Cool, El Dorado County, California, was used to obtain data. This, area is known to have well-developed subsurface karst development and has been surveyed by both the California Highway Department and the California Rock and Gravel Company.The microwave survey showed significant radiometric “cold” anomalies associated with void-space development beneath several tens of feet of soil cover. Detection was positive in almost all cases, evidence of the strong probability that microwave systems may be used to detect and rapidly map karst systems from a remote platform. This will greatly reduce surveying and construction costs in areas where caves and sink holes have developed beneath obscuring soil cover. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.