Karst subsidence in South-Central Apulia, Southern Italy

Rose, Marco Delle; Parise, Mario

doi:10.5038/1827-806x.31.1.11

Cited by 39 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Several other studies regarding sinkhole distribution have shown the clustering of sinkholes along fault lineaments (Delle Rose and Parise, 2002;Abelson et al, 2003;Doctor et al, 2008;Del Prete et al, 2010) and the decreasing number of sinkhole occurrences with increasing distance from the fault (Hyland et al, 2006;Billi et al, 2007). A lineament of sinkholes can also be used to find hidden faults (Closson and Abou Karaki, 2009).…”

Section: Releasing Bendmentioning

confidence: 98%

Structural analysis of S-wave seismics around an urban sinkhole: evidence of enhanced dissolution in a strike-slip fault zone

Wadas¹,

Tanner²,

Polom³

et al. 2017

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. In November 2010, a large sinkhole opened up in the urban area of Schmalkalden, Germany. To determine the key factors which benefited the development of this collapse structure and therefore the dissolution, we carried out several shear-wave reflection-seismic profiles around the sinkhole. In the seismic sections we see evidence of the Mesozoic tectonic movement in the form of a NW-SE striking, dextral strike-slip fault, known as the Heßleser Fault, which faulted and fractured the subsurface below the town. The strike-slip faulting created a zone of small blocks ( <100 m in size), around which steep-dipping normal faults, reverse faults and a dense fracture network serve as fluid pathways for the artesian-confined groundwater. The faults also acted as barriers for horizontal groundwater flow perpendicular to the fault planes. Instead groundwater flows along the faults which serve as conduits and forms cavities in the Permian deposits below ca. 60 m depth. Mass movements and the resulting cavities lead to the formation of sinkholes and dissolutioninduced depressions. Since the processes are still ongoing, the occurrence of a new sinkhole cannot be ruled out. This case study demonstrates how S-wave seismics can characterize a sinkhole and, together with geological information, can be used to study the processes that result in sinkhole formation, such as a near-surface fault zone located in soluble rocks. The more complex the fault geometry and interaction between faults, the more prone an area is to sinkhole occurrence.

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Section: Releasing Bendmentioning

confidence: 98%

Structural analysis of S-wave seismics around an urban sinkhole: evidence of enhanced dissolution in a strike-slip fault zone

Wadas¹,

Tanner²,

Polom³

et al. 2017

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…They occur on outcropping carbonatic bedrock or on bedrock with thin sedimentary cover (Macaluso et al 2002;Delle Rose and Parise 2002;Delle Rose et al 2004a, b). However, a few sinkholes are related to anthropogenic features (i.e., roof collapse of artificial cavities due to human activity).…”

Section: Sinkhole Classification According To Italian Case Historiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

A review of natural sinkhole phenomena in Italian plain areas

Caramanna¹,

Ciotoli²,

Nisio³

2007

Nat Hazards

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Italian sinkholes, which are mainly related to karst phenomena (i.e., solution sinkholes, collapse sinkholes, etc.), are widespread along the Apennine ridge and in pedemontane areas where there are carbonatic bedrock outcrops. However, other collapses, which seem unrelated to karst dissolution, have been identified in plain areas with a thick sedimentary cover over buried bedrock. The main goal of this work is to study the geological, geomorphological, and structural setting of these areas to identify the possible mechanism of the generation and evolution of these collapses. About 750 cases were identified by research based on historical archives, specific geological literature, and information from local administrations. Geological, geomorphological, and hydro-geochemical surveys were conducted in 300 cases, supported by literature, borehole, and seismic data. A few examples were discarded because they could be ascribed to karst dissolution, volcanic origin (i.e., maar), or anthropogenic causes. Field studies regarding the other 450 cases are in progress. These cases occur along the Tyrrhenian margin (Latium, Abruzzo, Campania, Tuscany) in tectonic, coastal, and alluvial plains close to carbonate ridges. These plains are characterized by the presence of pressurized aquifers in the buried bedrock, overlaid by unconsolidated sediments (i.e., clay, sands, pyroclastic deposits, etc.). The majority of these collapses are aligned along regional master and seismogenetic faults. About 50% of the studied cases host small lakes or ponds, often characterized by highly mineralized springs enriched with CO 2 and H 2 S. The Periadriatic margin does not seem to be affected by these phenomena, and only a few cases have been found in Sicily, Sardinia, and Liguria. The obtained scenarios suggests that this type of collapse could be related to upward erosion through vertical conduits (i.e., deep faults) caused by deep piping processes whose erosive strength is increased by the presence of acidic fluids. In order to distinguish these collapses from typical karst dissolution phenomena, they are defined as deep piping sinkholes (DPS).

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“…Further, Triassic evaporites in the northern reaches of Apulia are also affected by sinkholes (Fidelibus et al, 2011). In many sectors of Salento, sinkholes are so widespread that they have become the main landform, especially along the low shorelines of both the Adriatic and Ionian seas (Delle Rose and Parise, 2002;Bruno et al, 2008). Sinkholes have often been modified by man to gain land for agricultural practices or to be used as swallet sites to mitigate flood hazards during heavy rainfall.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sinkhole evolution in the Apulian Karst of Southern Italy: a case study, with some considerations on Sinkhole Hazards

Festa¹,

Fiore²,

Parise³

et al. 2012

JCKS

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Sinkholes are the main karst landforms characterizing the Salento Peninsula, which is the southernmost part of the Apulia region of southern Italy. They occur both as evolving recent phenomena and old or relict features testifying to ancient phases of karst processes acting in the area. Most of the sinkholes were formed by karst processes that may be reactivated, a risk to the anthropogenic structures nearby. To highlight such a subtle hazard, an area located a few kilometers from Lecce, the main town in Salento, was the subject of geological, morphological, and geophysical investigations. Historical analysis of multi-year aerial photographs, in particular, allowed identification of several phases in the recent evolution of a particular sinkhole, and demonstrated the need to carefully evaluate the likely evolution of similar features in Salento.

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Karst subsidence in South-Central Apulia, Southern Italy

Cited by 39 publications

References 7 publications

Structural analysis of S-wave seismics around an urban sinkhole: evidence of enhanced dissolution in a strike-slip fault zone

Structural analysis of S-wave seismics around an urban sinkhole: evidence of enhanced dissolution in a strike-slip fault zone

A review of natural sinkhole phenomena in Italian plain areas

Sinkhole evolution in the Apulian Karst of Southern Italy: a case study, with some considerations on Sinkhole Hazards

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