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A review of natural sinkhole phenomena in Italian plain areas

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  • G. Caramanna
  • G. Ciotoli
  • S. Nisio

Abstract

Italian sinkholes, which are mainly related to karst phenomena (i.e., solution sinkholes, collapse sinkholes, etc.), are widespread along the Apennine ridge and in pedemontane areas where there are carbonatic bedrock outcrops. However, other collapses, which seem unrelated to karst dissolution, have been identified in plain areas with a thick sedimentary cover over buried bedrock. The main goal of this work is to study the geological, geomorphological, and structural setting of these areas to identify the possible mechanism of the generation and evolution of these collapses. About 750 cases were identified by research based on historical archives, specific geological literature, and information from local administrations. Geological, geomorphological, and hydro-geochemical surveys were conducted in 300 cases, supported by literature, borehole, and seismic data. A few examples were discarded because they could be ascribed to karst dissolution, volcanic origin (i.e., maar), or anthropogenic causes. Field studies regarding the other 450 cases are in progress. These cases occur along the Tyrrhenian margin (Latium, Abruzzo, Campania, Tuscany) in tectonic, coastal, and alluvial plains close to carbonate ridges. These plains are characterized by the presence of pressurized aquifers in the buried bedrock, overlaid by unconsolidated sediments (i.e., clay, sands, pyroclastic deposits, etc.). The majority of these collapses are aligned along regional master and seismogenetic faults. About 50% of the studied cases host small lakes or ponds, often characterized by highly mineralized springs enriched with CO 2 and H 2 S. The Periadriatic margin does not seem to be affected by these phenomena, and only a few cases have been found in Sicily, Sardinia, and Liguria. The obtained scenarios suggests that this type of collapse could be related to upward erosion through vertical conduits (i.e., deep faults) caused by deep piping processes whose erosive strength is increased by the presence of acidic fluids. In order to distinguish these collapses from typical karst dissolution phenomena, they are defined as deep piping sinkholes (DPS). Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

Suggested Citation

  • G. Caramanna & G. Ciotoli & S. Nisio, 2008. "A review of natural sinkhole phenomena in Italian plain areas," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 45(2), pages 145-172, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:45:y:2008:i:2:p:145-172
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-007-9165-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefania Venturi & Franco Tassi & Orlando Vaselli & Georges E. Vougioukalakis & Heba Rashed & Christos Kanellopoulos & Chiara Caponi & Francesco Capecchiacci & Jacopo Cabassi & Andrea Ricci & Luciano , 2018. "Active hydrothermal fluids circulation triggering small-scale collapse events: the case of the 2001–2002 fissure in the Lakki Plain (Nisyros Island, Aegean Sea, Greece)," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 93(2), pages 601-626, September.
    2. Jie Zhou & Yiqun Tang & Ping Yang & Xiaohui Zhang & Nianqing Zhou & Jianxiu Wang, 2012. "Inference of creep mechanism in underground soil loss of karst conduits I. Conceptual model," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 62(3), pages 1191-1215, July.

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