Detection of Limesilicate Cavities by 3-D Electrical Resistivity Survey

In this study, we examined the applicability of 3-D electrical resistivity survey to detect underground cavities within ground subsidence area at the field test site, located at Yongweol-ri, Muan-gun in Korea. Underground cavities are widely present within the limesilicate bedrock overlain by the alluvial deposits in the area of the test site where the ground subsidences have occurred in the past. The limesilicate cavities are mostly filled with groundwater and clays in the test site. Thus, cavities have low electrical resistivity compared to the surrounding host bedrock. The results of the study have shown that the zones of low resistivity correspond to the zones of the cavities identified in the boreholes at the test site, and that the 3-D electrical resistivity survey is very effective to detect underground cavities.