scholarly journals Mapping of quick clay formations using geotechnical and geophysical methods

Landslides ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Lundström ◽  
R. Larsson ◽  
T. Dahlin
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Quick Clay

scholarly journals Subsurface characterization of a quick-clay vulnerable area using near-surface geophysics and hydrological modelling

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1685-1705
Author(s):  
Silvia Salas-Romero ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Ian Snowball ◽  
Benoît Dessirier
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Hydrological Modelling ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

Abstract. Quick-clay landslides are common geohazards in Nordic countries and Canada. The presence of potential quick clays is confirmed using geotechnical investigations, but near-surface geophysical methods, such as seismic and resistivity surveys, can also help identify coarse-grained materials associated with the development of quick clays. We present the results of reflection seismic investigations on land and in part of the Göta River in Sweden, along which many quick-clay landslide scars exist. This is the first time that such a large-scale reflection seismic investigation has been carried out to study the subsurface structures associated with quick-clay landslides. The results also show a reasonable correlation with radio magnetotelluric and travel-time tomography models of the subsurface. Other ground geophysical data, such as high magnetic values, suggest a positive correlation with an increased thickness of the coarse-grained layer and shallower depths to the top of the bedrock and the top of the coarse-grained layer. The morphology of the river bottom and riverbanks, e.g. subaquatic landslide deposits, is shown by side-scan sonar and bathymetric data. Undulating bedrock, covered by subhorizontal sedimentary glacial and postglacial deposits, is clearly revealed. An extensive coarse-grained layer (P-wave velocity mostly between 1500 and 2500 m s−1 and resistivity from approximately 80 to 100 Ωm) exists within the sediments and is interpreted and modelled in a regional context. Several fracture zones are identified within the bedrock. Hydrological modelling of the coarse-grained layer confirms its potential for transporting fresh water infiltrated in fractures and nearby outcrops located in the central part of the study area. The modelled groundwater flow in this layer promotes the leaching of marine salts from the overlying clays by seasonal inflow–outflow cycles and/or diffusion, which contributes to the formation of potential quick clays.

High-resolution 3D reflection seismic investigation over a quick-clay landslide scar in southwest Sweden

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. B97-B107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil Lundberg ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Christopher Juhlin ◽  
Mehrdad Bastani ◽  
Magnus Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Site Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay ◽  
Triggering Mechanisms ◽  
Landslide Development

Quick-clay landslides often occur in the northern hemisphere in areas that were covered by Pleistocene glaciations. They are particularly common along the shorelines of the Göta River in southwestern Sweden. Characterization of potential landslide areas and identification of features that indicate high risk are necessary to better understand the triggering mechanisms of these events. Therefore, an intensive characterization project was initiated at the Fråstad landslide in Sweden. Part of the characterization program included the acquisition of 3D reflection seismic data to image structures in the normally consolidated sediments, as well as the bedrock topography below the landslide scar. Two seismic horizons within the glacial and postglacial sediments were observed. The shallowest seismic horizon (here, referred to as S1) corresponds to a coarse-grained layer that was previously detected by eight geotechnical boreholes located within the 3D survey area. Discontinuities in S1, mapped by the 3D reflection seismic data, occur across a zone that correlates with the landslide scar boundary, suggesting that this zone may have played a role in triggering and/or in limiting the extension of the landslide. If S1 is truncated by or mixed with clays in this zone, then the outflow of water from the permeable S1 into the clays above may have increased the amount of quick clays above this zone. The increased outflow of water may also have caused a higher pore-water pressure south of the zone, which in turn could have acted as a trigger for the landslide. We evaluated the potential of using the 3D reflection seismic method as a complement to drilling and other geophysical methods when performing landslide site investigations. We also demonstrated the importance of further investigating the relationship between 3D subsurface geometries and landslide development.

scholarly journals Subsurface structures of a quick-clay sliding prone area revealed using land-river reflection seismic data and hydrogeological modelling

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Salas-Romero ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Ian Snowball ◽  
Benoît Dessirier
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Subsurface Structures ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
Quick Clay

Abstract. Quick-clay landslides are common geohazards in Nordic countries and Canada. The presence of potential quick clays is confirmed using geotechnical investigations, but near-surface geophysical methods, such as seismic and resistivity surveys, can also help identifying coarse-grained materials associated to the development of quick clays. We present the results of reflection seismic investigations on land and in part of the Göta River in Sweden, along which many quick-clay landslide scars exist. This is the first time that such a large-scale reflection seismic investigation has been carried out to study the subsurface structures associated with quick-clay landslides. The results also show a reasonable correlation with the radio magnetotelluric and traveltime tomography models. The morphology of the river bottom and riverbanks, as e.g. subaquatic landslide deposits, is shown by side-scan sonar and bathymetric data. Undulating bedrock, covered by subhorizontal sedimentary glacial and postglacial deposits is clearly revealed. An extensive coarse-grained layer exists in the sedimentary sequence and is interpreted and modelled in a regional context. Individual fractures and fracture zones are identified within bedrock and sediments. Hydrological modelling of the coarse-grained layer confirms its potential for transporting fresh water infiltrated in fractures and nearby outcrops. The groundwater flow in the coarse-grained layer promotes leaching of marine salts from the overlying clays by slow infiltration and/or diffusion, which helps in the formation of potential quick clays. Magnetic data show coarse-grained materials at the landslide scar located in the study area, which may have acted as a sliding surface together with quick clays.

Integration of Multi-geophysical Approaches to Identify Potential Pathways of Heavy Metals Contamination - A Case Study in Zeida, Morocco

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-423
Author(s):  
Ahmed Lachhab ◽  
El Mehdi Benyassine ◽  
Mohamed Rouai ◽  
Abdelilah Dekayir ◽  
Jean C. Parisot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Electrical Current ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Low Resistivity ◽  
Refraction Tomography ◽  
Geophysical Surveys

The tailings of Zeida's abandoned mine are found near the city of Midelt, in the middle of the high Moulouya watershed between the Middle and the High Atlas of Morocco. The tailings occupy an area of about 100 ha and are stored either in large mining pit lakes with clay-marl substratum or directly on a heavily fractured granite bedrock. The high contents of lead and arsenic in these tailings have transformed them into sources of pollution that disperse by wind, runoff, and seepage to the aquifer through faults and fractures. In this work, the main goal is to identify the pathways of contaminated water with heavy metals and arsenic to the local aquifers, water ponds, and Moulouya River. For this reason, geophysical surveys including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) methods were carried out over the tailings, and directly on the substratum outside the tailings. The result obtained from combining these methods has shown that pollutants were funneled through fractures, faults, and subsurface paleochannels and contaminated the hydrological system connecting groundwater, ponds, and the river. The ERT profiles have successfully shown the location of fractures, some of which extend throughout the upper formation to depths reaching the granite. The ERT was not successful in identifying fractures directly beneath the tailings due to their low resistivity which inhibits electrical current from propagating deeper. The seismic refraction surveys have provided valuable details on the local geology, and clearly identified the thickness of the tailings and explicitly marked the boundary between the Triassic formation and the granite. It also aided in the identification of paleochannels. The tailings materials were easily identified by both their low resistivity and low P-wave velocity values. Also, both resistivity and seismic velocity values rapidly increased beneath the tailings due to the compaction of the material and lack of moisture and have proven to be effective in identifying the upper limit of the granite. Faults were found to lie along the bottom of paleochannels, which suggest that the locations of these channels were caused by these same faults. The VLF-EM surveys have shown tilt angle anomalies over fractured areas which were also evinced by low resistivity area in ERT profiles. Finally, this study showed that the three geophysical methods were complementary and in good agreement in revealing the pathways of contamination from the tailings to the local aquifer, nearby ponds and Moulouya River.

Geotechnical investigation through SP, Electrical Resistivity and GPR geophysical methods

Geotecnia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 141-155
Author(s):  
Herson Oliveira da Rocha ◽  
◽  
Lúcia Maria Costa e Silva ◽  
João Andrade dos Reis Júnior ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Geotechnical Investigation

Identifikasi Potensi Air Tanah untuk Kebutuhan Penyediaan Air Bersih dengan Metode Geolistrik: Studi Kasus di Kawasan Geostech, Puspiptek Serpong

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-212
Author(s):  
Heru Sri Naryanto ◽  
Puspa Khaerani ◽  
Syakira Trisnafiah ◽  
Achmad Fakhrus Shomim ◽  
Wisyanto Wisyanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Groundwater Potential ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Groundwater Aquifers ◽  
Groundwater Aquifer ◽  
Groundwater Origin ◽  
Laboratory Facility ◽  
Potential Groundwater ◽  
Lower Depth

ABSTRACTGeostech Building, as an office and laboratory facility, requires a source of clean water from groundwater related to the limited supply of clean water from the PDAM. Due to the needs of freshwater from groundwater origin, data and information are needed regarding the potential groundwater in the area, including aquifer configuration, depth, and groundwater potential. The presence of groundwater is not distributed through every area, and it's related to the geological and geohydrological conditions. One of the geophysical methods that can describe subsurface is 2D geoelectric methods. This method can distinguish and analyze rock types, geological structures, groundwater aquifers, and other important information based on the characteristics of the electricity of rocks by looking at the value of the type of resistance. In this measurement, the Wenner Alpha configuration has been used, where the arrangement of A-B current electrodes and M-N potential electrodes have constant spacing. From the measurement results, it can be interpreted that there is a low resistivity layer containing porous groundwater as an aquifer. Based on regional geological data, it has been estimated that this layer is in the form of sandy tuff (0-1.5 ohm-m). The exploitation of groundwater with drilling is expected to reach the aquifer's upper layer at depth, starting from 11.5-13 meters. The groundwater aquifer thickness cannot be ascertained because of the penetration of the lower depth of 2D geoelectric measurements truncated by the constraint of a maximum stretch of cable. The upper layer of the aquifer contains a turned layer of fine tufa and medium tuff, which is impermeable, coarse tuff, and mixed soil with varying thickness at the upper layer.Keywords: 2D geoelectric, aquifer, potential groundwater, Geostech  ABSTRAKGedung Geostech sebagai sarana perkantoran dan laboratorium memerlukan sumber air bersih dari air tanah terkait dengan terbatasnya suplai air bersih dari PDAM. Kebutuhan air bersih berasal dari air tanah, maka diperlukan data dan informasi mengenai kondisi potensi air tanah di kawasan tersebut termasuk konfigurasi akuifer, kedalaman, dan potensi air tanahnya. Keberadaan air tanah tidaklah merata untuk setiap tempat dan sangat terkait dengan kondisi geologi dan geohidrologinya. Salah satu metode geofisika yang dapat memberikan gambaran kondisi bawah permukaan adalah dengan metode geolistrik 2D. Metode ini dapat membedakan dan menganalisis jenis batuan, struktur geologi, akuifer air tanah, dan informasi penting lainnya berdasarkan sifat kelistrikan batuan dengan melihat nilai tahanan jenisnya. Dalam pengukuran ini digunakan konfigurasi Wenner Alpha, dimana susunan elektroda arus A dan B dan elektroda potensial M dan N mempunyai spasi yang konstan. Dari hasil pengukuran dapat diinterpretasikan adanya lapisan dengan resistivitas rendah yang mengandung air tanah dan bersifat porous sebagai akuifer. Berdasarkan data geologi regional diperkirakan lapisan ini berupa tuf pasiran (0-1,5 ohm-m). Pengambilan air tanah dengan pemboran diperkirakan akan mengenai batas atas lapisan akuifer pada kedalaman 11,5-13 meter. Ketebalan akuifer air tanah tidak bisa dihitung karena penetrasi kedalaman pengukuran geolistrik 2D terbatasi oleh bentangan elektroda di permukaan. Lapisan di atas akuifer merupakan lapisan selang-seling tuf halus dan tuf sedang yang kedap air, tuf kasar, dan pada bagian paling atas merupakan tanah urugan dengan ketebalan bervariasi.Kata kunci: Geolistrik 2D, akuifer, potensi air tanah, Geostech  

A LOOK INTO THE EARTH: EVALUATING THE USE OF MAGNETIC SURVEY IN AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGY

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Magnavita ◽  
Norbert Schleifer
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Magnetic Survey ◽  
The Past ◽  
Common Technique ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Prehistoric Settlements ◽  
Present Case Study

In the last decades, geophysical methods such as magnetic survey have become a common technique for prospecting archaeological sites. At sub-Saharan archaeological sites, however, magnetic survey and correlated techniques never came into broad use and there are no signs for an immediate change of this situation. This paper examines the magnetic survey undertaken on the Nigerian site of Zilum, a settlement of the Gajiganna Culture (ca 1800-400 BC) located in the Chad Basin and dated to ca 600-400 BC. By means of the present case study, we demonstrate the significance of this particular type of investigation in yielding complementary data for understanding the character of prehistoric settlements. In conclusion, we point out that geophysical methods should play a more important role in modern archaeological field research, as they furnish a class of documentation not achievable by traditional survey and excavation methods, thus creating new perspectives for interpreting the past of African societies.

A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR SEASONAL THAW DYNAMICS OF AN AUFEIS FEATURE INFERRED FROM SURFACE GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Grunewald ◽  
◽  
Neil Terry ◽  
Martin A. Briggs ◽  
Andrew M. Kass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Geophysical Methods
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