Western Kentucky University

Karst Sinkhole Management, Warren County, Kentucky

Institution

Western Kentucky University

Abstract

In karst areas, the sinkhole problem is unique because the ground is literally falling out from beneath roads and buildings. During construction, special care and planning must be taken to plan for the local geological conditions and to ensure that any problems already present are managed and controlled in such a way that they have little or marginal impact on the local area. The formation of sinkholes in the Warren County area is the result of the underlying karst geology. A karst area is usually typified in the presence of several layers of limestone, often capped by a layer of sandstone or other sedimentary rock. Limestone is eroded into caves and vegetation can help stabilize the area or if tree roots puncture the limestone, it can lead to sandstone cap collapse, causing all of the overlying rocks, dirt, and buildings to fall into the void beneath the ground, thus forming a sinkhole. This study examined vegetation management that could stabilize sinkholes and limit collapses.

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Karst Sinkhole Management, Warren County, Kentucky

In karst areas, the sinkhole problem is unique because the ground is literally falling out from beneath roads and buildings. During construction, special care and planning must be taken to plan for the local geological conditions and to ensure that any problems already present are managed and controlled in such a way that they have little or marginal impact on the local area. The formation of sinkholes in the Warren County area is the result of the underlying karst geology. A karst area is usually typified in the presence of several layers of limestone, often capped by a layer of sandstone or other sedimentary rock. Limestone is eroded into caves and vegetation can help stabilize the area or if tree roots puncture the limestone, it can lead to sandstone cap collapse, causing all of the overlying rocks, dirt, and buildings to fall into the void beneath the ground, thus forming a sinkhole. This study examined vegetation management that could stabilize sinkholes and limit collapses.