A Chronological Database about Natural and Anthropogenic Sinkholes in Italy

Abstract

Sinkholes are a widespread geological hazard, typical of karst lands, where they generally originate as collapse features related to presence of underground voids. Nevertheless, other types of sinkholes can be formed through solution, suffusion and sagging processes. Sinkholes can also be originated in relation to artificial cavities, excavated by man in past times. In Italy, sinkholes interest large sectors of the country, given the very long history of Italy with an intense utilization of the underground. They cause serious damage to infrastructures, economic activities, and human health every year. We present a catalogue on natural and anthropogenic sinkholes in Italy, as the first step toward evaluation of the sinkhole hazard. After introducing sinkholes, which is definitely a highly underrated type of disaster in Italy, we point out their occurrence in the country. We illustrate the methodology used to build the database, with particular focus on accuracy and reliability of the data. Collecting information from different types of sources, a catalogue of some 1190 sinkhole events is built. Database structure and data analysis are then illustrated. Eventually, we draw some conclusions on the likely uses of our work by providing recommendations for environmental management on this very delicate issue.

A joint geophysical approach to tune an integrated sinkhole monitoring method in evaporitic environments

“…This event is just one of the several examples that we could cite but points to how little knowledge there is regarding the predictability of these phenomena. In Italy, scientists are currently mainly focused on cataloguing (Vennari & Parise, 2022), and no monitoring is taking place as well as on the identification of possible future occurrences in terms of evolution and susceptibility (Calligaris et al., 2017b; Ciotoli et al., 2015). The methodological approach presented here is preliminary to an investigation protocol aimed at identifying, characterizing and monitoring such phenomena in heavily infrastructured environments.…”

Topographic gradients of soil physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties in central Kentucky sinkholes

“…Unless a location has been consistently monitored or historical records exists of sinkhole activity (Vennari and Parise, 2022), it is not possible to quantify the exact age at which the ground surface began to subside. Investigating soil properties and morphologies within these features may provide methods for generating relative age estimates.…”

Photogrammetry from UAV and Low-Cost Lidar for Sinkhole Hazard Mitigation in Urban Areas: Applications and Evaluations

“…Two main genetic groups of natural sinkholes can be found: solution sinkholes resulting from internal erosion processes caused by subsurface karstification of carbonates or evaporites, and solution-induced subsidence processes that may affect cover deposits over karst and non-karst bedrock [3,4]. The natural origin sinkholes particularly affect extra-urban areas, while most of the sinkholes that develop in urban areas are of anthropogenic origin and connected to the collapse of underground cavities dug by man or leaks of networks and subsystems [2,5].…”