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Title:

Using Readily Available Data and GIS to Map Sinkhole Risk in the Karst Counties of Virginia
Cover of Using Readily Available Data and GIS to Map Sinkhole Risk in the Karst Counties of Virginia

Accession Number:

01628091

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

The following study proposes a methodology for taking readily available geographic information system (GIS) data and using that to create sinkhole susceptibility maps, pinpointing regions prone to future sinkhole development. Susceptibility can be determined by extracting data from GIS databases of factors previously shown to accelerate sinkhole formation. This inexpensive and noninvasive methodology allows input factors to be adjusted to accommodate mapping of various regions across the globe. The methodology was tested using the counties in and adjacent to the Valley and Ridge geologic region of Virginia, which are heavy in karst. The five risk factors previously shown to play a role in Virginian sinkhole formation examined in this study include: bedrock type, proximity to fault lines, drainage class, slope of incised river banks, and soil depth above bedrock. Two susceptibility maps were created. This first combines all five risk factors with equal weight. The second map created used sensitivity analyses to weight each of the five factors with respect to that factors’ influence on predicting sinkhole risk. The following results were found with in the sensitivity analysis: bedrock type has the most significant impact on predicting sinkhole risk, drainage class is the second most influential factor in sinkhole formation behind bedrock type, proximity to faults and depth of overlying soil to bedrock play minimal, yet present, roles in determining sinkhole risk, and slope of incised river bank played no role in the formation of sinkholes in Virginia.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFP10 Standing Committee on Engineering Geology.

Monograph Accession #:

01618707

Report/Paper Numbers:

17-00410

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Todd, Alexandra L
Ivey-Burden, Lindsay

Pagination:

16p

Publication Date:

2017

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Maps; References; Tables

Geographic Terms:

Virginia

Subject Areas:

Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2017 Paper #17-00410

Files:

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 8 2016 10:03AM