Detection and imaging of piping sinkholes by integrated geophysical methods

摘要: Piping sinkholes may naturally develop in the case of a thick overburden overlying calcareous bedrock. Their detection and imaging is challenging task for geophysical methods, not only because required resolution depth penetration, but also major pitfalls arise, such geologically complex areas, from speculative interpretation anomalies as geological features. Data integration different methods essential to remove these ambiguities, caused by large near-surface gradients heterogeneities soil properties, well oscillations water table anomalous circulation. We present an investigation procedure consisting sequential application integrated Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Seismic Refraction (SRT) Self Potential (SP) measurements locating monitoring piping with site Central Italy. This approach compromise between cost-effectiveness, it designed be economically affordable private end user. In scenarios, usually possible rate single technique superior all others terms resolution, cost-effectiveness diagnostic capability. The independent information coming key removing ambiguity when evaluating position development over time sinkholes. proposed allowed us individuate small area subject formation sinkhole. results were confirmed about one year after execution measurements, exhibited surface evidence sinkhole, pond filled sulphurous gases below.