Predicting Potential Sites of Covered Karstification

Our aim was the prediction of karstification. We measured the karstic bedrock and the overlying superficial cover in four areas of Hungary and one area in Romania. One of our tools was the widely used geophysical techniques i.e. VES and multi-electrode method. We also made observations on mountainous, Mediterranean and tropical karsts. In these areas the occurrence of covered karsts, of either syngenetic or postgenetic type, is high. Based on the measured data we determined the conditions under which covered karst formation is possible. For example the conditions that induce syngenetic karstification are: cavities, caves, and shafts within the bedrock, places where the superficial cover is locally thinner, or places where the impermeable beds edge out. An indicator of postgenetic karstification is the presence of lenticular intercalations in the superficial cover (sites of former dolines). Knowing these conditions in any karst area we can readily identify the potential sites where covered karst formation is possible in the near future. If these sites are known, engineering structures can be planned so that potential dangers due to karstification are avoided.