Archived: Interstate Technical Group on Abandoned Underground Mines
An Interactive Forum
Locating and Characterizing Abandoned Mines using Microgravity
Presenter: Richard C. Benson, President
Firm/Organization: Technos, Incorporated
Phone: 305-718-9594
Fax: 305-718-9621
Email: info@technos-inc.com
Mailing Address: 10430 NW 31 Terrace
Miami, Florida 33172
Abstract
Surface geophysical methods can be an important part of any site characterization effort. Microgravity is a geophysical method that is increasingly being used for environmental and geotechnical investigations. Microgravity measurements respond to changes in subsurface density, and are a non-invasive way to effectively identify and characterize subsurface voids, including abandoned mines. When integrated with other geologic information and geophysical datasets, a microgravity survey will provide a more complete and accurate assessment of subsurface voids than borings alone. We demonstrate in a case history how microgravity measurements were an effective first step in characterizing a collapse zone in an abandoned mine.