A Multidisciplinary Investigation of an Abandoned Old Mining Area Which Has Been Affected by the Combined Influences of Salt Karst and Human Exploration Activity

Abstract

The authors discuss a case that is full of examples of the problems faced by civil engineers whose task is to develop areas in the face of natural, technological, or post-mining hazards. The study area is in the central part of Inowrocław, a town located on a massive salt dome of Zechstein salts. A strong deformation zone expanded in its upper part; this was caused by a natural process (related to so-called salt karst) and by mining activities that occurred in the past, creating a problem with regard to any potential spatial development in the town. The authors show a combination of data obtained using gravimetric and geodetic methods, which helps us to assess the geohazard risk. These include remote sensing data, which can be used to evaluate displacements of the ground surface. The authors used an approach that they term the Elevation Difference Method. This consists of determining displacements between ground surfaces: estimated on the basis of remote sensing data and on the basis of the historical data, when mounted measurement points (and remote sensing data) did not exist. The authors discuss the results in the light of the geological background. Within the area of the study, the displacements of the positive values dominate. The displacement occurs at 6 mm/yr on average and indicates diapiric uplift movement. The results are important for the town authorities for planning and development and for infrastructure management.