Study of geology and Carboniferous subcrop topography upon engineering geological mapping of Moscow territory

Abstract

Carboniferous deposits in Moscow are composed of interlaying carbonate and clay-marl massifs. The roof of Carboniferous deposits occurs at a depth 5–150 m below the surface. It has been affected by several generations of river erosion. Carbonate layers consist mainly of limestones karstified to a different extent. Suffosion development in overlaying sandy-clayey and sandy horizons resulting in karst-suffosion sinkholes and surface subsidence are related to the ancient buried karst forms. The geological map of Carboniferous deposits is compiled to a scale of 1: 10 000 for the entire territory of Moscow. The map shows the geological structure at the roof of Carboniferous deposits. It also displays the spatial distribution of various stratigraphical and lithological series of Carboniferous system, the subcrop topography of the Carboniferous deposits and thalwegs of pre-Jurassic and pre-Pleistocene (pre-glacial) buried river valleys and gullies. The specifics of karst development in Carboniferous limestone massifs are studied. Karstification and fracturing distribution is analysed in connection with the ancient topography. The geological map of Carboniferous deposits is one of the principal maps for compiling the map of karst and karst-suffosion hazard and the map of engineering geological zoning of Moscow.

Specific Features Of Geological Risk Assessment In Moscow

“…Karst and suffusion develop most intensively in the northwest of Moscow, were the preJurassic and preglacial channels have eroded partially or completely the overlying Mesozoic deposits. Limestone is highly karsitified there, and more than 40 karst sinkholes are registered in that area (Kozlyakova 2016).…”

Assessment of exogenous geological hazards in Moscow, Russia

“…Engineering geological conditions in the Moscow region have been comprehensively studied before by many previous researchers (Golodkovskaya and Lebedeva, 1984;Medvedev, 1997;Koff et al, 2006;Osipov andOsipov 2008 and2014;Kutepov et al, 2011;Kozlyakova et al, 2015 and2016). Geomorphologically, Moscow is located within three natural geographical regions, i.e., Smolensk-Moscow upland in the northwest, Meshchera lowland in the east, and Teplyi Stan upland in the south-southwest.…”

“…Quaternary deposits are represented by moraine loam of three glaciation periods; interfluvial (mainly sandy) deposits; alluvial sands of three terraces above the floodplain of the Moscow River and its tributaries; as well as technogenous deposits. The thickness of the Quaternary deposits ranges from few meters to 50 m. It's maximum thickness is registered in the and 25% of territory may be classified as potentially prone to waterlogging (Osipov, 2014).…”

Diversity in the science and practice of engineering geology

“…Many papers in this publication provide examples of studies and work practices from a variety of subjects which can be used as precedents and guides for similar projects. These range from the study of Kozlyakova et al (2016) De Freitas (2009) states that the principle of superposition 'asserts that if a total can be divided into parts, then that total can be obtained from the sum of its parts' and explains 'the overriding advantage offered by superposition is its ability to solve complex problems that can be broken down into smaller and simpler parts, each capable of an independent solution that can be summed to provide the final solution'. He cautions that 'defining a sequence of events solves only half the problem; the sequence then has to be explained'.…”

“…Kozlyakova et al (2016) present a study of the geology of the Moscow area, in particular the occurrence of Carboniferous interlayered carbonate and clay-marl massifs which occur at a depth of 5-150 m below the ground surface. As such, karst-suffusion sinkholes and surface subsidence related to buried karst landforms are an issue for urban development and these hazards are mapped together with defined engineering geological zones across the city area.…”