Abstract
In this study, results of GPR profiling related to mapping of subsurface sedimentary layers at tsunami affected Karaikal beach are presented . A 400 MHz antenna was used for profiling along 262 m stretch of transect from beach to backshore areas with penetration of about 2.0 m depth (50 ns two-way travel time). The velocity analysis was carried out to estimate the depth information along the GPR profile. Based on the significant changes in the reflection amplitude, three different zones are marked and the upper zone is noticed with less moisture compared to other two (saturated) zones. The water table is noticed to vary from 0.5 to 0.75 m depth (12–15 ns) as moving away from the coastline. Buried erosional surface is observed at 1.5 m depth (40–42 ns), which represents the limit up to which the extreme event acted upon. In other words, it is the depth to which the tsunami sediments have been piled up to about 1.5 m thickness. Three field test pits were made along the transect and sedimentary sequences were recorded. The sand layers, especially, heavy mineral layers, recorded in the test pits indicate a positive correlation with the amplitude and velocity changes in the GPR profile. Such interpretation seems to be difficult in the middle zone due to its water saturation condition. But it is fairly clear in the lower zone located just below the erosional surface where the strata is comparatively more compact. The inferences from the GPR profile thus provide a lucid insight to the subsurface sediment sequences of the tsunami sediments in the Karaikal beach.
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Acknowledgements
The financial supports from the Paleo-tsunami project (MoES) and CSIR Network Project (CMM 23) are thankfully acknowledged. The authors wish to thank the Directors of CIMFR and NIO and Vice-Chancellor of the SASTRA University for permission to publish this paper. They thank Dr A K Chaubey, Associate Editor of the journal for his coordination and support extended throughout the review process. Authors are thankful to the reviewers for their constructive comments and useful suggestions to improve the quality of the paper. Thanks are due to the department as well as all field staff for their cooperation and support during field works and the laboratory analysis.
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Loveson, V.J., Gujar, A.R., Barnwal, R. et al. GPR studies over the tsunami affected Karaikal beach, Tamil Nadu, south India. J Earth Syst Sci 123, 1375–1385 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-014-0463-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-014-0463-7