Rapid subsidence in damaging sinkholes: Measurement by high-precision leveling and the role of salt dissolution

Desir, G.; Gutiérrez, Francisco; Merino, Juan; Carbonel, Domingo; Benito‐Calvo, Alfonso; Guerrero, Jesús; Fabregat, Ivan

doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.12.004

Cited by 35 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…1 cm) than the subsidence data published in any of the previous papers dealing with sinkhole monitoring. However, the accuracy of the ground deformation measurements was significantly lower than those obtained by high-precision leveling in the Alcalá sinkhole and in sinkhole 1 of the Logroño highway site, although with much lower spatial resolution [19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…In the early 1980s, a sinkhole formed around 50 m south of the investigated subsidence area and in the same street. The distribution of subsidence damage and geophysical anomalies suggest higher karstification in the area associated with the river channel [19,39,40].…”

Section: Alcalá Sinkholementioning

confidence: 98%

“…These data indicate that the evaporitic bedrock at the sinkhole sites includes high-solubility salts close to the surface. This is a critical factor that controls dissolution and subsidence rates, e.g., [19]. For comparison, the equilibrium solubilities of gypsum (CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O), glauberite (Na 2 [CaSO 4 ] 2 ), and halite (NaCl) in distilled water are 2.4 g/L, 118 g/L, and 360 g/L, respectively [27,28].…”

Section: Geological and Geomorphological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differential Global Positioning Systems provide increasingly accurate measurements of vertical displacement at specific points [18]. High-precision leveling using digital levels and the electronic reading of bar-coded staffs is the most accurate method for measuring differential subsidence along specific lines [18,19]. Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) have been extensively used to characterize ground instability processes, such as landslides, with high spatial resolution, e.g., [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The other two sinkholes, located at the same site, have caused continuous subsidence, resulting in damage to a major highway and a private business. High-precision levelling data is available from two of the investigated sinkholes [19], allowing direct comparison of displacement measurements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

4D Monitoring of Active Sinkholes with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS): A Case Study in the Evaporite Karst of the Ebro Valley, NE Spain

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This work explores, for the first time, the application of a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) and a comparison of point clouds in the 4D monitoring of active sinkholes. The approach is tested in three highly-active sinkholes related to the dissolution of salt-bearing evaporites overlain by unconsolidated alluvium. The sinkholes are located in urbanized areas and have caused severe damage to critical infrastructure (flood-control dike, a major highway). The 3D displacement models derived from the comparison of point clouds with exceptionally high spatial resolution allow complex spatial and temporal subsidence patterns within one of the sinkholes to be resolved. Detected changes in the subsidence activity (e.g., sinkhole expansion, translation of the maximum subsidence zone, development of incipient secondary collapses) are related to potential controlling factors such as floods, water table changes or remedial measures. In contrast, with detailed mapping and high-precision leveling, the displacement models, covering a relatively short time span of around 6 months, do not capture the subtle subsidence (<0.6-1 cm) that affects the marginal zones of the sinkholes, precluding precise mapping of the edges of the subsidence areas. However, the performance of TLS can be adversely affected by some methodological limitations and local conditions: (1) limited accuracy in large investigation areas that require the acquisition of a high number of scans, increasing the registration error; (2) surface changes unrelated to sinkhole activity (e.g., vegetation, loose material); (3) traffic-related vibrations and wind blast that affect the stability of the scanner.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Alcalá Sinkholementioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Geological and Geomorphological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

4D Monitoring of Active Sinkholes with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS): A Case Study in the Evaporite Karst of the Ebro Valley, NE Spain

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Karren and Sinkholes

2022

Karst Hydrogeology, Geomorphology and Caves

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sinkhole subsidence monitoring combining terrestrial laser scanner and high‐precision levelling

Sevil

Benito‐Calvo

Gutiérrez

2021

Earth Surf Processes Landf

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sinkhole subsidence damage on transportation infrastructure is a particularly problematic hazard that has rapidly increased in numerous karst regions worldwide. The quantitative characterization of the deformation is fundamental for the design of effective mitigation measures and to prevent potential accidents. Nonetheless, there are a limited number of investigations addressing the monitoring of specific active sinkholes through the application of high-precision and high-resolution methods.Here, we present a sinkhole monitoring approach including the synergistic combination of high-precision levelling and high-resolution terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). The method has been satisfactorily tested in an active sinkhole affecting a railway corridor, which includes conventional and high-speed railway lines. The main outcome is the first example of low-error (±3 mm) 3D displacement models of an active sinkhole generated with TLS data without the use of ground control points. The methodological advance related to the 3D geometric alignment of successive point clouds without ground control points simplifies the logistics of TLS data collection and expands the potential sites where this technique can be applied, including non-accessible areas. The combination of geomorphological mapping and ground-penetrating radar provided critical data for sinkhole site characterization and design of the monitoring surveys. Subsequently, the integration of high-precision levelling and TLS data provided accurate information on spatio-temporal subsidence patterns (rates, kinematic style) and the precise location of the boundaries of the area affected by ground deformation in accessible and non-accessible zones.

show abstract

Rapid subsidence in damaging sinkholes: Measurement by high-precision leveling and the role of salt dissolution

Cited by 35 publications

References 44 publications

4D Monitoring of Active Sinkholes with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS): A Case Study in the Evaporite Karst of the Ebro Valley, NE Spain

4D Monitoring of Active Sinkholes with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS): A Case Study in the Evaporite Karst of the Ebro Valley, NE Spain

Karren and Sinkholes

Sinkhole subsidence monitoring combining terrestrial laser scanner and high‐precision levelling

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About