Planning for gypsum geohazards in Lithuania and England

Paukštys, Bernardas; Cooper, Anthony H.; Arustiene, Jurga. 1999 Planning for gypsum geohazards in Lithuania and England. Engineering Geology, 52 (1-2). 93-103. 10.1016/S0013-7952(98)00061-1

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text Lithuania gypsum karst paper Env Geol 1999.pdf - Accepted Version Download (333kB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

The rapid underground dissolution of gypsum, and the evolution of the gypsum karst in Lithuania and England, results in subsidence problems which can make construction difficult. The natural dissolution yields sulphate-rich groundwater of poor quality and the karst is susceptible to the rapid transmission of pollutants. In the north of Lithuania gypsum karst is developed in Devonian gypsum. Here the towns of Birai, Pasvalys and the surrounding countryside suffer subsidence and some buildings have been damaged. The majority of the potable water in these areas is derived from groundwater extracted from sandstone sequences that underlie the gypsum. In Lithuania conservation measures have been introduced to control agriculture and prevent pollution of the gypsum karst. These measures include environmentally-friendly farming, restrictions on land use and exclusion zones around subsidence hollows. In England subsidence caused by the dissolution of Permian gypsum has caused severe problems in the vicinity of the town of Ripon. Numerous buildings have been damaged and new sites are difficult to develop. Here formal planning regulations have recently been introduced to help to protect against the worst effects of subsidence resulting from gypsum dissolution.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/S0013-7952(98)00061-1
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > Physical Hazards
ISSN:	00137952
Date made live:	19 Aug 2014 07:39 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/508124

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...