Determine Sinkholes and Overburden Thicknesses in Selected Covered Carbonate Karst Terrains (Kinta Valley), Perak, Malaysia by Combining Wenner E.R. Tomography, Geological and Satellite Images Techniques

This paper discusses the application of Wenner’s Electrical Resistivity Tomography, geological, and satellite-imaging techniques to the process of determining sinkholes and overburdened thickness in covered carbonate karst terrains. The study area is located in (Kinta Valley), at a place called Kampung Kunsila estate, situated northwest of Kampar City and south of Ipoh, the capital of Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.

Several active sinkholes were discovered and identified during site field inspections. The sinkholes ranged from narrow-to-medium and medium-to-wide sizes, some with exposed throats. On average, the diameter of the sinkholes in the study area ranged from 1 m to more than ~ 30 m, some having approximately the corresponding range in depth. Surface water induces erosion along the frame of the sinkhole, which causes enlargement to several meters long. Some of the sinkholes were selected for the application of high-resolution geophysical technique in order to realize the objectives of the study.

Wenner’s Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was used along many profiles to capture the image of the subsurface across and in proximity to various types of sinkholes as a primary stage. This method will allow the recognition of their shapes and estimation of their depths. In addition it will assist to know the origin of these sinkholes...