GIS and ANN coupling model: an innovative approach to evaluate vulnerability of karst water inrush in coalmines of north China |
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| Authors: | Qiang Wu Hua Xu Wei Pang |
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| Institution: | (1) Oklahoma Geological Survey, University of Oklahoma, 100 E. Boyd, Room N-131, Norman, OK 73019, USA |
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| Abstract: | Evaporites, including rock salt (halite) and gypsum (or anhydrite), are the most soluble among common rocks; they dissolve
readily to form the same types of karst features that commonly are found in limestones and dolomites. Evaporites are present
in 32 of the 48 contiguous states in USA, and they underlie about 40% of the land area. Typical evaporite-karst features observed
in outcrops include sinkholes, caves, disappearing streams, and springs, whereas other evidence of active evaporite karst
includes surface-collapse structures and saline springs or saline plumes that result from salt dissolution. Many evaporites
also contain evidence of paleokarst, such as dissolution breccias, breccia pipes, slumped beds, and collapse structures. All
these natural karst phenomena can be sources of engineering or environmental problems. Dangerous sinkholes and caves can form
rapidly in evaporite rocks, or pre-existing karst features can be reactivated and open up (collapse) under certain hydrologic
conditions or when the land is put to new uses. Many karst features also propagate upward through overlying surficial deposits.
Human activities also have caused development of evaporite karst, primarily in salt deposits. Boreholes (petroleum tests or
solution-mining operations) or underground mines may enable unsaturated water to flow through or against salt deposits, either
intentionally or accidentally, thus allowing development of small to large dissolution cavities. If the dissolution cavity
is large enough and shallow enough, successive roof failures can cause land subsidence and/or catastrophic collapse. Evaporite
karst, natural and human-induced, is far more prevalent than is commonly believed. |
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| Keywords: | Evaporite karst Gypsum karst Salt karst Sinkholes Collapse structures |
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