Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Karst Sinkhole in Ekhtiarabad, NW Kerman

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author
Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Ekhtiarabad sinkhole which is located 14 km NW of Kerman, near a homonymous Village, appeared suddenly in July the first, 1998. Mechanism of formation of the cave system which created the hole is of great importance for detecting suspected subterranean caves in the region. In this regard, several ideas have been put forward, namely, dissolution of evaporites, dissolution of limestone, and mechanical wash-out of fine sands (piping). To resolve this problem, geologic and hydrogeologic conditions of the region were analyzed, and a hydrogeochemical approach, based upon evaporite dissolution index, was proved to be efficient. The index is over 40 in the vicinity of the hole, but decreases abruptly away from it to less than 5, indicating dissolution of evaporites, which seem to be gypsum. Some other clues, such as electrical conductivity of groundwaters, evaporitic facies of Neogen sediments, and a nearby gypsum mine all increase this possibility. Several mechanisms; as decline in groundwater level, traffics, and enhanced dissolution induced by pumping groundwaters are suspected as collapsed triggers.
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Volume 13, 51-52
Spring & Summer 2004, Vol. 13, No. 51-52
Summer 2004
Pages 28-35