The vertical electrical sounding (VES) of the epikarst: A case study of the covered karst of the Bakony region (Hungary)

Abstract

The epikarsts of five covered karst areas in the Bakony region are compared. The comparison is based on the specific resistances of the bedrock resistance averages measured by vertical electrical sounding (VES). The average largest specific resistance differences (per area) and the mean values (per profile) were calculated to investigate the characteristics of the epikarst. The mean values of specific resistance were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine whether the specific resistances of the areas showed significant differences. The studied karst areas can be categorised as high or low specific resistance areas, and the ANOVA method could be applied to three areas based on the available data. It can be concluded that the mean values of their specific resistances are significantly different. The mean values and standard deviation of the specific resistances of the different areas were analysed. It is described that the karst receives less water in the case of areas with lower specific resistance, while it receives more water in the case of areas with higher specific resistance. Areas with a high specific resistance are less karstified, while areas with a low specific resistance are more karstified. Low specific resistances and small mean values indicate a higher degree of cavity formation in the epikarst, while the decrease in mean values and standard deviation indicates increasing uniformity of the degree of cavity formation in the epikarst. The different degree of cavity formation is explained by the different karstification rates and the exposure of different time of certain areas.