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Multimethod Geophysical Survey of a Sinkhole - The Case Study of São Mamede
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 24th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Sep 2018, Volume 2018, p.1 - 5
Abstract
This paper presents a case study dealing with the characterization of an area where a sinkhole developed. Several geophysical techniques (ground penetrating radar, 3D electrical resistivity tomography and seismic refraction) were used. The geophysical survey is intended to understand the origin of that sinkhole developed under a public road in São Mamede, Batalha (Portugal).
The integrated geophysical data point out to the existence of anomalies associated with the sinkhole and local infrastructures that could contribute to the occurrence of the phenomenon. The joint data interpretation shows high-velocity anomalies on the seismic refraction data the coincide, specially, with a high resistivity anomaly in the 3D resistivity model. These anomalies can be interpreted as corresponding to a concealed underground drainage system that could originate the sinkhole visible at the road surface.
Therefore, the integrated use of the three geophysical methods allowed to propose a model to be considered for the remediation of the problems caused by local water infiltration and sinkhole development.
Only the integration of data from different methods can enhance the interpretations and models obtained from the solely use of a single method. Thus, this strategy allows to propose more complete and detailed modes to describe the area under investigation.