Identification and mitigation of sinkhole hazards in an evaporite karst area (Perdiguera, Spain)

Abstract

[EN] Sinkhole risks are becoming particularly severe in urban areas that lack careful planning and where karst depressions are frequently filled and developed. Sinkholes frequently have a higher probability of occurrence and a bigger genetic diversity in evaporite rocks than in carbonate rocks. This is because evaporites rocks (halite, gypsum, etc) have a higher solubility. Subsidence damage resulting from this dissolution generates considerable losses at the world. To contract with these risks, is needed the identification, investigation, prediction, and mitigation of sinkholes. Corrective measures might be applied to reduce the subsidence processes. A more practical solution for safe development is to reduce the vulnerability of the structures by using subsidence-proof designs. Therefore, this case study is located in the town of Perdiguera (Zaragoza, Spain), within the Ebro Basin. This town is affected by subsidence problems, which are associated with the dissolution of gypsiferous silts that generate sinking. These sinkholes are affecting the buildings threatening its structural integrity.