Study on Early Recognition Methods of Cover-Collapse Sinkholes in China

Cover-collapse sinkholes pose a major geohazard occurring in mantled karst regions in the south of China in recent years. Cover deposits generally mask the subsurface development and propagation of the deformation to the topographic surface. Human security and land-use planning in sinkhole-prone areas need to be preceded by detailed investigations focused on the identification of pre-existing sinkholes, subsurface dissolution, subsidence features and groundwater condition. The abnormal early hidden danger signs (ground, underground and hydrodynamic) of karst collapse are studied. Further, the corresponding identification techniques and methods are presented, such as surface surveying techniques (satellite remote sensing, the drone, etc.), underground detection technology (ground penetrating radar, microgravity, micro tremor, etc.), and monitoring of groundwater conditions. Finally, all kinds of techniques and methods can be combined to form a comprehensive system for identifying hidden dangers of karst collapse. This paper aims at identifying the early hidden dangers of karst collapse geological disasters. This has important theoretical, technical and social significance in order to minimize the impact of disasters on the people and the environment