The purposes of the main sinkhole project in the Latium Region of central Italy

Some the territories of the Latium Region are exposed to catastrophic subsidence phenomena due to geological features as well as the coexistence of several other issues such as active tectonics, main groundwater circulation, peculiar geomorphological conditions, etc. So far very few studies have focused on sinkholes in Italy, and those mostly refer to the description of obvious phenomena. However, land-use planning and management necessities require more detailed studies focused on triggering issues, evolution modes, and temporal and spatial cyclicity. The Geological Survey of the Latium Regional Government, with the scientific collaboration of the Departments of Geological Science of the two Universities of Rome, during the next two years is conducting a study of sinkhole areas of Latium. The main purposes of this study are: To find and critically analyze the widest references possible; To make a preliminary classification of sinkhole phenomena in general; To conduct a census of sensitive areas in the Latium Region and of sinkholes by means of both airphoto interpretation and field surveys; To establish a definitive sinkholes phenomena classification system relative to Latium. To develop an applied method, including an application for sampling areas (particularly a piedmont area in central-southern Latium close to the Lepini Mountains karst ridge, 200 km(2) wide and the San Vittorino plane, in the Apennines intra-mountains basin) for reconstructing the geological and structural setting with historical seismicity, former phenomena occurrence, active tectonic indicators, and gas emissions by conducting: a) Hydrogeological field surveys b) Geochemical and hydrochemical field surveys c) Geophysical campaigns: gravity and microgravity prospecting, geoelectrical tomography using the Schlumberger method, and analysis of seismic surveys using explosions in quarries d) Geotechnical campaigns (samples and laboratory analysis) e) Chemical and physical monitoring system network implementation To define modern zones where sinkholes are hazardous during the preparation of a Master Plan in sinkhole areas. Presented here are data, ideas, methodologies and the purposes of the studies around the sinkhole area of the Latium Region. Also discussed is an Internet website for sinkholes which has been created to present the structure of the project, the phenomena occurring in our Region, and a page of site links useful for people interested in this problem.