Surface subsidence in the karst mining area in China

Abstract

Carbonate rocks are widely distributed in China, with extensively scattering of karst aquifer deposits associated with frequent surface subsidences. Particularly, most of surface subsidences occurred in karst aquifer mining areas in Southern China, but very few in Northern China.

As a form of geological hazard, the surface subsidence in mining areas causes the increasing of both the amount of mine water inundation and the possibility of mine water and mud invasion, jeoperdising the environment of mining areas, and endangering the mining operation and people’s lives. Generally, the distribution of surface subsidences is of regular pattern, principally controlled by karst development pattern. Therefore, it is likely to predict and prevent the occurrence of surface subsidence. In this paper, the distribution, the danger and the prediction and prevention of surface subsidence of karst aquifer mine area in China are discussed.