Karst cavity detection in carbonate rocks by integration of high resolution geophysical methods
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17656/Keywords:
Carbonate Cave, GPR, Resistivity TomographyAbstract
Combined surveys using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) are deployed to provide a cost effective characterization of the subsurface karst environments. A total of 12 GPR traverses and 4 ERT lines with lengths from 140 to 710 m are conducted at Sulaimani governorate, NE Iraq (45o 04' E and 35o 35' N). The area represents a broad syncline of limestone rocks, which is covered by a thin layer of recent sediments. Great anomaly depicting crest (high) like pattern was noticed on GPR records. A plausible interpretation for this anomaly was a cavity filled either by groundwater or by residual products of karstification. The presence of this cavity was confirmed also by electrical resistivity tomography. An excellent correlation exists between GPR signatures and ERT layers. The extension and the depth to the top of the cavity were determined from both GPR data and 2D inversion interpretation. A huge cave was discovered. It is located at depth of 25.0 meters. It has an elongated shape that extends from southeast to northwest direction. The geophysical survey results show this cave with approximate dimensions of 150.0 m long, 35.0 m wide and 24.0 m high.References
-Aziz, B.Q., 2005: Two dimention resistivity imagind tomography for hydrogeological study in Bazian basin-west sulaimani City,NE-IRAQ, Ph. D dissertation, Dept of Geology, Sulaimani University, Sulaimani.
-Ballard, R.F., 1983: Cavity detection and delineation research Rep.5, Electromagnetic (radar) techniques applied to cavity detection, Tech. Rep. GL-83-1 U.S.Army Engr. Waterways Expr Station, Viksburg, MS.
-Buday, T., 1980: the regional geology of Iraq. Vol-1, (Stratigraphy and Palegeography) GEOSURV, Baghdad, Iraq, 445P.
-El-Behiry, M.G. and Hanafy, Sh. M., 2000: Geophysical surveys to map the vertical extension of sinkhole: a comparison study.: SAGEEP-2000,341 – 350.
-Griffith, D.H., Turnbull, J. and Olayinka, A.I., 1990: Two-dimensional resistivity mapping with a computer controlled array. First Break 8: 121-129.
-Hruska, J., Hubatka, F., 2000: Landslides investigation and monitoring by a high performance and cavities in limestone: GPR 2000 Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Ground-Penetrating Radar, Gold Coast.
-Kim C., Daniels, J.J., Guy, E.D., Radzevicius, S.J. & Holt, J. 2000: Residual hydrocarbons in a water-saturated medium: A detection strategy using ground penetrating radar. Environmental Geosciences 7(4): 169-174.
-Leggo, P. J., 1982: Geological applications of ground impulse radar: Transactions of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; B: Applied Earth Science,91: B1-5.
-Leggo, P. J. and Leech, C., 1983: Subsurface investigations for shallow mine workings and cavities by ground impulse radar technique:Ground Engineering, 16, 20-23.
-Loke, M.H. & Barker, R.D. 1996: Rapid least-squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosection by a quasi –Newton method. Geophysical prospecting 44: 131-152.
-McCann, D. M., Jackson, P. D. and Fenning, P. J., 1988: Comparison of the seismic and groundprobing radar methods in geological surveying:IEEE proceedings, 135 (F, 4), 380-390.
-Morey, R.M., 1974: Continuous subsurface profiling by impulse radar, Proc. Engr. Foundation Conference Subsurface Exploration. Underground Excavation and Heavy construction, Am. Society Civil Engineers, 213-232.
-Pipan, M., Baradello, L., Forte, E., and Prizzon, A.,2000: GPR study of bedding planes, fractures and cavities in limestone: GPR 2000 Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Ground-Penetrating Radar, Gold Coast.
-Sasahara, K., Tsuchida, T., and Fenner, T. J., 1995: An investigation of cracks in rock slope using ground penetrating radar: SAGEEP’95, 149-158.
-Ulriksen, C.P., 1982: Application of impulse radar to civil engineering: Ph. D dissertation, Dept of EngineeringGeology, Lund University of Tech, Sweden.
-Valle, S. and Zanzi, L., 1996: Radar tomography for cavities detection: SAGEEP’96, 555 - 563.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2013 Bakhtiar Qader Aziz, Peshawa Mohammad Ali
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under 