Abstract
The ongoing growth of cover collapse sinkhole occurrences that concentrated in Wugaishan Town, Chenzhou City in recent years increased the requirement for detailed analysis of collapses genesis. This study is aimed to understand formation mechanism and evolution process of cover collapse sinkholes by multidisciplinary methods in Manaoshan mining area. These sinkholes mainly were discovered in the rainy seasons ranging from April to June or in the thin overburden less than 10 m. Additionally, the development level of the collapses was correlated well with locations and scales of karst caves within underlying bedrock. The results indicated that mine-related cover collapse sinkholes might be ascribed to dynamic changes of groundwater caused by mine dewatering activity. Analysis of hydrogeological condition and dynamic characteristics of groundwater, the formation mechanism of cover collapse sinkholes is characterized into the following categories: infiltration erosion effect, saturation erosion effect and coupling buoyant weight decrease with load-increased effect, which mostly depends on depth and variation velocity of groundwater level. The maximum variation velocity of groundwater level recorded by monitoring sites was 0.815 m/h and 2.07 m/h at the process of groundwater level rising and falling, respectively, which might be the favorable condition for causing collapse pits.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abolfazlzadeh Y, Hudyma M (2016) Identifying and describing a seismogenic zone in a sublevel caving mine. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(9):3735–3751
Aydan Ö, Ito T (2015) The effect of the depth and groundwater on the formation of sinkholes or ground subsidence associated with abandoned room and pillar lignite mines under static and dynamic conditions. Proc Int Assoc Hydrol Sci 372:281–284
Aydan Ö, Tano H (2012) Sinkholes and subsidence above abandoned mines and quarries caused by the great east Japan earthquake on March 11, 2011 and their implications. J Jpn Assoc Earthq Eng 12(4):229–248
Bathrellos GD, Gaki-Papanastassiou K, Skilodimou HD, Papanastassiou D, Chousianitis KG (2012) Potential suitability for urban planning and industry development by using natural hazard maps and geological—geomorphological parameters. Environ Earth Sci 66(2):537–548. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1263-x
Beck BF (2005) Soil piping and sinkhole failure. Encyclopedia of caves, 2nd edn. Elsevier, New York, pp 523–528
Brinkmann R, Parise M, Dye D (2008) Sinkhole distribution in a rapidly developing urban environment: Hillsborough country, Tampa Bay area, Florida. Eng Geol 99(3–4):169–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2007.11.020
Chen HL (1988) The analysis of ground-surface deformation causing by dewatering in Chenzhou city, Hunan province. Carsol Sin 7(1):19–25 (CNKI:SUN:ZGYR.0.1988-01-002)
Chen LJ, Sun XL, Pi J, Wang C, Ou J (2014) Distribution characteristics and factors influencing karst collapse in Dachengqiao, Ningxiang, Hunan. Carsol Sin 33(4):490–498. https://doi.org/10.11932/karst2014414
Dai JL, Luo WQ, Wu YB, Jiang XZ (2017) Mechanism analysis of sinkholes formation at Jili village, Laibin city, Guangxi, China. Carsol Sin 36(6):808–818. https://doi.org/10.11932/karst2017y59
Frumkin A, Ezersky M, Zoubi AA, Akkawi E, Abueladas AR (2011) The Dead sea sinkhole hazard: geophysical assessment of salt dissolution and collapse. Geomorphology 134:102–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.04.023
Galve JP, Castañeda C, Gutiérrez F, Herrera G (2015) Assessing sinkhole activity in the Ebro Valley mantled evaporite karst using advanced DInSAR. Geomorphology 229:30–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.07.035
Gao Y, Luo W, Lei MT (2013) Investigations of large scale sinkhole collapses, Laibin, Guangxi, China. In: Proceedings of the 13th multidisciplinary conference on sinkholes and the engineering and environmental impacts of karst: NCKRI symposium 2, pp 327–331
Guerrero J, Gutiérrez F, Bonachea J, Lucha P (2008) A sinkhole susceptibility zonation based on paleokarst analysis along a stretch of the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed railway built over gypsum and salt bearing evaporates (NE Spain). Eng Geol 102(1–2):62–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.07.010
Gutiérrez F, Guerrero J (2008) A genetic classification of sinkholes illustrated from evaporatie paleokarst exposures in Spain. Environ Geol 53:993–1006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0727-5
Gutiérrez F, Lizaga I (2016) Sinkholes, collapse structures and large landslides in an active salt dome submerged by a reservoir: the unique case of the Ambal ridge in the Karun River, Zagros Mountains, Iran. Geomorphology 254:88–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.11.020
Gutiérrez F, Parise M, Waele JD, Jourde H (2014) A review on natural and human-induced geohazards and impacts in karst. Earth Sci Rev 138:61–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.08.002
Hua XQ, Huang JJ, Miao SX, Zhang L, Wu X (2015) Distribution and causes of Geo-hazards in Xuzhou. J Geol Hazards Environ Preserv 26(2):72–79. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-4362.2015.02.013
Huang PL, Chen CX, Xiao GF, Lin J (2009) Study of rock movement caused by underground mining in mines with complicated geological conditions. Rock Soil Mech 30(10):3020–3025. https://doi.org/10.16285/j.rsm.2009.10.004
Jiang XZ, Lei MT, Gao YL (2017) New karst sinkhole formation mechanism discovered in a mine dewatering area in Hunan, China. Mine Water Environ 37(4):1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0486-9
Kang YR (1992) Collapse causing models in karstic collapse process. Hydrogeol Eng Geol 19(4):32–34. https://doi.org/10.16030/j.cnki.issn.1000-3665.1992.04.014
Kim JH, Park SG, Yi MJ, Son JS, Cho SJ (2007) Borehole radar investigations for locating ice ring formed by cryogenic condition in an underground cavern. J Appl Geophys 62(3):204–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2006.11.002
Kumsar H, Aydan Ö (2021) An integrated study on the stability assessment and partial collapse of the Kaklik karstic cave (Denizli, Turkey). B Eng Geol Environ 80:221–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01926-4
Lei MT, Gao YL, Jiang XZ, Guan ZD (2016) Mechanism analysis of sinkhole formation at Maohe village, Liuzhou city, Guangxi province, China. Environ Earth Sci 75:542
Li GY, Zhou WF (1999) Sinkholes in karst mining areas in China and some methods of prevention. Eng Geol 52:45–50
Li SX, Chen RH, Shen J (2007) The Chenzhou China pond coal mine picks depletion region of ground the influence factor and the preventing and controlling measure discussion. J Geol Hazards Environ Preserv 18(3):19–23. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-4362.2007.03.005
Liu TS, Liu LM (2013) The investigation report of geohazards in Beihu area of Chenzhou city, Hunan province. Hunan Province Geological and Mineral Exploration and Development, Unpublished technical report
Luu LH, Noury G, Benseghier Z, Philippe P (2019) Hydro-mechanical modeling of sinkhole occurrence processes in covered karst terrains during a flood. Eng Geol 260:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105249
Lucha P, Cardona F, Gutiérrez F, Guerrero J (2008) Natural and human-induced dissolution and subsidence processes in the salt outcrop of the Cardona Diapir (NE Spain). Environ Geol 53:1023–1035. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0729-3
Luo ZH, Xia JH (2008) Safety exploitation of groundwater in Beihu area, Chenzhou City. Ground Water 30(6):56–59. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-1184.2008.06.017
Meng Y, Li ZJ, Jia L (2020) An analysis of allowable groundwater drawdown and pumpage from a karst aquifer to prevent sinkhole collapses in the Pearl River Delta, China. Water Resour 47(4):530–536. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807820040089
Milanovic P (2002) The environmental impacts of human activities and engineering constructions in karst regions. Episodes 25(1):13–21
Ozdemir A (2015) Sinkhole susceptibility mapping using a frequency ratio method and GIS technology near Karapinar, Konya-Turkey. Proc Earth Planet Sci 15:502–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2015.08.059
Pan ZY, Jiang XZ, Lei MT, Guan ZD, Wu YB, Gao YL (2018) Mechanism of sinkhole formation during groundwater-level recovery in karst mining area, Dachengqiao, Hunan province, China. Environ Earth Sci 77:799. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7987-0
Papadopoulou-Vrynioti K, Bathrellos GD, Skilodimou HD, Kaviris G, Makropoulos K (2013) Karst collapse susceptibility mapping considering peak ground acceleration in a rapidly growing urban area. Eng Geol 158:77–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.02.009
Parise M (2015) Karst geo-hazards: causal factors and management issues. Acta Carsol 44(3):401–414. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v44i3.1891
Peng T, Ge ST, Wu W, Pang SB (2001) The treatment of soil cavity collapsing area. Hydrogeol Eng Geol 3:55–58. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-3665.2001.03.016
Santo A, Budetta P, Forte G, Marino E, Pignalosa A (2017) Karst collapse susceptibility assessment: a case study on the Amalfi Coast (Southern Italy). Geomorphology 285:247–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.02.012
Santolo ASD, Forte G, Santo A (2018) Analysis of sinkhole triggering mechanisms in the hinterland of Naples (Southern Italy). Eng Geol 237:42–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.02.014
Skilodimou HD, Bathrellos GD, Chousianitis K, Youssef AM, Pradhan Β (2019) Multi-hazard assessment modeling via multi-criteria analysis and GIS: a case study. Environ Earth Sci 78(2):47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-8003-4
Waltham T, Bell F, Culshaw M (2005) Sinkholes and subsidence. Springer, Chichester, pp 157–177
Wei YY, Sun SL, Huang JJ et al (2015) Spatial-temporal distribution and causes of karst collapse in the Xuzhou area. Carsol Sin 34(1):52–57. https://doi.org/10.11932/karst20150107
Wu XH, Luo ZH (2013) Evaluation of safety exploitation quantity of karst water constrained by collapse range. Water Resour Power 31(8):34–38
Xia KZ, Chen CX, Zheng Y, Zhang HN, Liu XM, Deng YY, Yang KY (2019) Engineering geology and ground collapse mechanism in the Chengchao Iron-ore Mine in China. Eng Geol 249:129–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.12.028
Xie XT, Li SR, Liao YP, Yang L, Peng HY, Yang C (2015) Analysis on distribution and formation of the karst collapse in Tongluoshan of Chongqing. South North Water Transf Water Sci Technol 13(4):751–755. https://doi.org/10.13476/j.cnki.nsbdqk.2015.04.032
Xu GQ, Shen HZ (2004) Analysis on the land collapse induced by pumping groundwater—Huainan Coal Mine as an example. Chin J Geol Hazard Control 15(4):64–69. https://doi.org/10.16031/j.cnki.issn.1003-8035.2004.04.014
Yang YL, Yang RK, Meng FT, Wang Q (2017) Brief analysis of distribution and influence factor of table-board shallow overburden type karst collapse in central Guizhou Plateau. Carsol Sini 36(6):801–807. https://doi.org/10.13476/j.cnki.nsbdqk.2015.04.032
Yin RJ, Sheng ZY (2005) Karst ground collapses distribution and measures of prevention and control in Chenzhou city. J Geol Hazards Environ Preserv 16(2):143–147. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-4362.2005.02.007
Zarroca M, Comas X, Gutierrez F, Carbonel D, Linares R, Roque C, Mozafari M, Guerrero J, Pellicer XM (2016) The application of GPR and ERI in combination with exposure logging and retrodeformation analysis to characterize sinkholes and reconstruct their impact on fluvial sedimentation. Earth Surf Proc Land 42(7):1049–1064. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4069
Zha FS, Liu CM, Su JW, Wu CG, Cui KR (2020) Formation conditions of karst collapse and evaluation of ground stability in Chaoshan area of Tongling city. Geol Rev 66(1):246–254. https://doi.org/10.16509/j.georeview.2020.01.018
Zhang W, Gan FP, Wei W, Guan ZD, Liu W, Wu JQ (2019) Applied research of comprehensive geophysical method to the investigation of karst collapse in the riverside shoal of Huaihe river. Prog Geophys 34(2):832–839. https://doi.org/10.6038/pg2019CC0051
Zhou W, Lei MT (2017) Conceptual site models for sinkhole formation and remediation. Environ Earth Sci 76(24):818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-7129-0
Zhou WF, Lei MT, Lamoreaux JW, Green DS (2020) Pre-glacial and post-glacial sinkholes in Silurian carbonate rocks in the James bay lowland, Canada. In: Proceedings of 16th multidisciplinary conference on sinkholes and the engineering and environmental impacts of karst. Puerto Rico, pp 299–306
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province (Grant no. 2018GXNSFAA294020), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41967037 & 41877300), China Geological Survey Project (Grant no. DD20190266), the National Natural Youth Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 41402284). Special thanks are for the Editor’s and reviewers’ constructive comments.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pan, Z., Chen, X., Yang, X. et al. Formation mechanism analysis of cover collapse sinkholes in Wugaishan Town, Chenzhou City, Hunan province, China. Environ Earth Sci 81, 48 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10171-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10171-9