Evaluating the Potentialities of Hydro-stratigraphic, Geomorphological and Geophysical Analyses to Detect Underground Cavities

Detection of underground cavities is a very important phase in the process of mitigating the risk related to sinkholes in karst, as well as in urban settings with presence of man-made cavities. At this aim, we explore in this study the combination of hydro-stratigraphic, geomorphological and geophysical study, integrated by caving explorations and surveys. Hydro-stratigraphy and geomorphology include thematic surface mapping, multi-year analysis of aerial photographs and archival research, underground surveys and examination of borehole and well data. Geophysical surveys may rely on different methods such as electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, seismic surveys and microgravity measurements. Depending upon the local geology, as well as depth and feature of the underground cavities, the above techniques may be used alternatively or in combination to obtain the best results in the identification of the voids. The importance of integrating different methodologies and techniques is pointed out by discussing the potentiality and the drawbacks of each adopted methods.