Thermal imaging techniques to map ground disturbances in a former Nottinghamshire coal mining area

A multidisciplinary team conducted a study at Chilwell Dam in Nottinghamshire in order to develop the British Geological Survey’s (BGS) capability to detect abandoned mineshafts. To this aim an airborne thermal survey of the site was commissioned. The thermal data was analysed in conjunction with site visits, geophysical surveys, soil stripping of the top layer of soil from the site and analysis of aerial photography, geological field slips and mine plans. The BGS had previously applied the technique with success in an area where mineshafts had obvious surface expression. This report presents the results of the study at Chilwell Dam, where the mineshafts did not have a clear surface expression.