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Natural and human-induced sinkhole hazards in Saudi Arabia: distribution, investigation, causes and impacts

Aléas d’origine naturelle et humaine des dolines en Arabie Saoudite: distribution, investigation, causes et impacts

Riesgos naturales e inducidos por el hombre en sumideros de Arabia Saudita: distribución, investigación, causas e impactos

沙特阿拉伯天然和人为因素引起的落水洞灾害:分布、原因和影响

Riscos de sumidouros naturais e induzidos pelo homem na Arábia Saudita: distribuição, investigação, causas e impactos

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Abstract

Approximately 60 % of the 2,150,000 km2 area of Saudi Arabia is underlain by soluble sediments (carbonate and evaporite rock formations, salt diapirs, sabkha deposits). Despite its hyper-arid climate, a wide variety of recent sinkholes have been reported in numerous areas, involving significant property losses. Human activities, most notably groundwater extraction, have induced unstable conditions on pre-existing cavities. This work provides an overview of the sinkhole hazard in Saudi Arabia, a scarcely explored topic. It identifies the main karst formations and the distribution of the most problematic sinkhole areas, illustrated through several case studies covering the wide spectrum of subsidence mechanisms. Some of the main investigation methods are presented through selected examples, including remote sensing, trenching and geophysics. Based on the available data, the main causal factors are identified and further actions that should be undertaken to better assess and manage the risk are discussed.

Résumé

Environ 60 % de la surface de 2,150,000 km2 de l’Arabie Saoudite repose sur des sédiments solubles (formations carbonatées et évaporites, diapirs salifères, dépôts de sebkha). Malgré le climat hyper-aride, une grande variété de dolines (effondrements de surface) récentes a été signalée dans de nombreuses zones, entraînant des dégradations foncières lourdes de conséquences. Les activités humaines, en particulier le prélèvement d’eau souterraine, ont créé les conditions d’instabilité de cavités pré-existantes. Ce travail fournit une vue d’ensemble des aléas liés aux dolines en Arabie Saoudite, un sujet rarement étudié. Il identifie les principales formations karstiques et la distribution des zones de dolines les plus problématiques, illustrées à l’aide de plusieurs études de cas couvrant un large spectre de mécanismes de subsidence. Quelques-unes des principales méthodes d’investigation sont présentées à travers des exemples sélectionnés, incluant la télédétection, les tranchées, et la géophysique. Sur la base des données disponibles, les principaux facteurs de risques sont identifiés et les nouvelles actions à entreprendre pour mieux les évaluer et les gérer sont discutées.

Resumen

Los sedimentos solubles (formaciones rocosas carbonáticas y evaporitas, diapiros salinos, depósitos de sabkha) subyacen en aproximadamente el 60 % del área de 2,150,000 km2 de Arabia Saudita. A pesar de su clima hiperárido, se han reportado una amplia variedad de sumideros recientes en numerosas zonas, lo que involucra importantes pérdidas en las propiedades. Las actividades humanas, sobre todo la extracción de agua subterránea, han inducido a condiciones de inestabilidad en cavidades preexistentes. Este trabajo brinda una visión general del riesgo de hundimientos en Arabia Saudita, un tema escasamente explorado. Identifica las principales formaciones kársticas y la distribución de las áreas de sumideros más problemáticos, ilustrados a través de varios casos de estudio que cubren un amplio espectro de mecanismos de subsidencia. Se presentan algunos de los principales métodos de investigación a través de ejemplos seleccionados, incluyendo la teledetección, excavación de zanjas y geofísica. Sobre la base de los datos disponibles, se identifican los principales factores causales y se discuten nuevas acciones que deben emprenderse para una mejor evaluación y gestión del riesgo.

摘要

沙特阿拉伯面积为2,150,000 km2,大约60%分布着可溶沉积物(碳酸盐和蒸发岩地层、盐底辟及盐沼沉积层)。尽管那里的气候超干旱,但在众多地区发现有各种各样的落水洞,造成重大的财产损失。人类活动,最主要的就是地下水抽取,导致业已存在的洞穴处于不稳定状态。本研究工作论述了沙特阿拉伯的落水洞灾害,这方面的内容过去很少有人涉及。研究工作确定了主要岩溶地层及最容易出问题的落水洞区域分布,通过几个实例描述了沉降机理。通过所选择的例子展示了主要调查方法,包括遥感、槽探和地球物理方法。在现有资料的基础上,确定了主要因素,讨论了更好评价和管理风险应当采取的进一步行动。

Resumo

Aproximadamente 60 % dos 2,150,000 km2 da região da Arábia Saudita está sustentada por sedimentos solúveis (formações rochosas carbonáticas e evaporíticas, diápiro/domos de sal, depósitos sabkha). Apesar de seu clima hiperárido, uma ampla variedade de sumidouros recentes tem sido relatada em várias áreas, envolvendo perdas significantes de propriedades. Atividade humana, principalmente a extração das águas subterrâneas, tem induzido condições de instabilidade em cavidades preexistentes. Este trabalho fornece uma visão geral do perigo dos sumidouros na Arábia Saudita, assunto raramente explorado. Identificando as principais formações cársticas e áreas com distribuição mais problemática de sumidouros, ilustrada através de vários estudos de casos que cobrem amplo espectro de mecanismos de subsidência. Alguns dos importantes métodos são apresentado através de exemplos selecionado, incluindo sensoriamento remoto, abertura de trincheiras e geofísicos. Com base nos dados disponíveis, os principais fatores causais são identificados e ações adicionais que devemos assumir para melhor avaliar e gerir o risco são discutidos.

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Acknowledgements

The work conducted by FG has been supported by the Spanish national project CGL2013-40867 (Ministerio deEconomía y Competitividad). Also, the authors would like to thank the Saudi Geological Survey for providing scientific, financial, and logistical support for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Hazards Department, Applied Geology Sector, Saudi Geological Survey, P.O. Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed M. Youssef, Hasan M. Al-Harbi, Yasser A. Zabramwi, Ali B. Bulkhi, Saeed A. Zahrani & Alaa M. Bahamil

  2. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

    Ahmed M. Youssef & Bosy A. El-Haddad

  3. Earth Sciences Department, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco Gutiérrez

  4. Geophysical Survey Department, Saudi Geological Survey, P.O. Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed J. Zahrani & Zaam A. Otaibi

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  1. Ahmed M. Youssef
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  3. Francisco Gutiérrez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmed M. Youssef.

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Published in the theme issue “Land Subsidence Processes”

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Youssef, A.M., Al-Harbi, H.M., Gutiérrez, F. et al. Natural and human-induced sinkhole hazards in Saudi Arabia: distribution, investigation, causes and impacts. Hydrogeol J 24, 625–644 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-015-1336-0

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