Assessment of Sinkholes Investigations in Jangseong-Gun Area, South Korea, and Recommendations for Similar Studies

Khaqan Baluch, Jung-Gyu Kim, Jong-Gwan Kim, Young Hun Ko, Seung-Won Jung and Sher Q. Baluch
Additional contact information
Khaqan Baluch: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju 54896, Korea
Jung-Gyu Kim: Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Korea
Jong-Gwan Kim: Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Korea
Young Hun Ko: Department of Geotechnical Engineering Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, 283 Goyang-daero, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang 10223, Korea
Seung-Won Jung: Guns and Explosives Safety Technology Association, 50, Mapo-daero 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04162, Korea
Sher Q. Baluch: Consulting Engineer, EDACS International, 6000 Ohrid, North Macedonia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-26

Abstract: This paper reviews the site investigation field data and access work performed between 2016 and 2019 in the study area located close to Gun-dong mine. The research was aimed at defining the cause of sinkholes and their relationship with the underlying karstic limestone bedrock and nearby mining activities. Only a limited number of small sinkholes appeared in 2014, 2016, and 2018 in the agricultural land close to the limestone mine. The previously open pit mine started its underground operations in 2007. Since then, the mine has developed, and is now comprised of, large underground excavations at several levels below the surface. The studies carried out concluded that the appearance of sinkholes may be related to a general lowering of the groundwater table because of nearby agricultural and mining activities and also due to over-extraction of water due to increased urban use. Whilst these are the best determinations, this paper identifies missing elements of the previous investigations mentioned above, some issues with the interpretation of poorly prepared borehole logs and the improper preservation of borehole cores. The authors make recommendations for a systematic approach for implementation of an investigation strategy. This paper concludes that the appearance of sinkholes is a natural phenomenon, developing over geological time. However, human intervention contributes to sinkhole formation, which in urban areas may result in human, property, and economic losses. A better understanding, based on a methodical approach and suitable technologies, can determine the causes of sinkholes and can lead to the formulation of solutions and the implementation of economically and socially acceptable mitigation measures.

Keywords: sinkholes; geophysical and geotechnical investigation; impact of mining and agriculture on groundwater regime; karst cavities; borehole image processing system; limestone mining; interpretation of satellite imagery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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