TY - JOUR A1 - Polom, Ulrich A1 - Alrshdan, Hussam A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil A1 - Holohan, Eoghan P. A1 - Dahm, Torsten A1 - Sawarieh, Ali A1 - Atallah, Mohamad Y. A1 - Krawczyk, Charlotte M. T1 - Shear wave reflection seismic yields subsurface dissolution and subrosion patterns BT - application to the Ghor Al-Haditha sinkhole site, Dead Sea, Jordan JF - Solid earth N2 - Near-surface geophysical imaging of alluvial fan settings is a challenging task but crucial for understating geological processes in such settings. The alluvial fan of Ghor Al-Haditha at the southeast shore of the Dead Sea is strongly affected by localized subsidence and destructive sinkhole collapses, with a significantly increasing sinkhole formation rate since ca. 1983. A similar increase is observed also on the western shore of the Dead Sea, in correlation with an ongoing decline in the Dead Sea level. Since different structural models of the upper 50 m of the alluvial fan and varying hypothetical sinkhole processes have been suggested for the Ghor Al-Haditha area in the past, this study aimed to clarify the subsurface characteristics responsible for sinkhole development. For this purpose, high-frequency shear wave reflection vibratory seismic surveys were carried out in the Ghor Al-Haditha area along several crossing and parallel profiles with a total length of 1.8 and 2.1 km in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The sedimentary architecture of the alluvial fan at Ghor Al-Haditha is resolved down to a depth of nearly 200 m at a high resolution and is calibrated with the stratigraphic profiles of two boreholes located inside the survey area. The most surprising result of the survey is the absence of evidence of a thick (>2-10 m) compacted salt layer formerly suggested to lie at ca. 35-40 m depth. Instead, seismic reflection amplitudes and velocities image with good continuity a complex interlocking of alluvial fan deposits and lacustrine sediments of the Dead Sea between 0 and 200 m depth. Furthermore, the underground section of areas affected by sinkholes is characterized by highly scattering wave fields and reduced seismic interval velocities. We propose that the Dead Sea mud layers, which comprise distributed inclusions or lenses of evaporitic chloride, sulfate, and carbonate minerals as well as clay silicates, become increasingly exposed to unsaturated water as the sea level declines and are consequently destabilized and mobilized by both dissolution and physical erosion in the subsurface. This new interpretation of the underlying cause of sinkhole development is supported by surface observations in nearby channel systems. Overall, this study shows that shear wave seismic reflection technique is a promising method for enhanced near-surface imaging in such challenging alluvial fan settings. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.5194/se-9-1079-2018 SN - 1869-9510 SN - 1869-9529 VL - 9 IS - 5 SP - 1079 EP - 1098 PB - Copernicus CY - Göttingen ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil A1 - Holohan, Eoghan P. A1 - Taheri, Abbas A1 - Schöpfer, Martin P. J. A1 - Emam, Sacha A1 - Dahm, Torsten T1 - Geomechanical modelling of sinkhole development using distinct elements BT - model verification for a single void space and application to the Dead Sea area JF - Solid earth N2 - Mechanical and/or chemical removal of material from the subsurface may generate large subsurface cavities, the destabilisation of which can lead to ground collapse and the formation of sinkholes. Numerical simulation of the interaction of cavity growth, host material deformation and overburden collapse is desirable to better understand the sinkhole hazard but is a challenging task due to the involved high strains and material discontinuities. Here, we present 2-D distinct element method numerical simulations of cavity growth and sinkhole development. Firstly, we simulate cavity formation by quasi-static, stepwise removal of material in a single growing zone of an arbitrary geometry and depth. We benchmark this approach against analytical and boundary element method models of a deep void space in a linear elastic material. Secondly, we explore the effects of properties of different uniform materials on cavity stability and sinkhole development. We perform simulated biaxial tests to calibrate macroscopic geotechnical parameters of three model materials representative of those in which sinkholes develop at the Dead Sea shoreline: mud, alluvium and salt. We show that weak materials do not support large cavities, leading to gradual sagging or suffusion-style subsidence. Strong materials support quasi-stable to stable cavities, the overburdens of which may fail suddenly in a caprock or bedrock collapse style. Thirdly, we examine the consequences of layered arrangements of weak and strong materials. We find that these are more susceptible to sinkhole collapse than uniform materials not only due to a lower integrated strength of the overburden but also due to an inhibition of stabilising stress arching. Finally, we compare our model sinkhole geometries to observations at the Ghor Al-Haditha sinkhole site in Jordan. Sinkhole depth / diameter ratios of 0.15 in mud, 0.37 in alluvium and 0.33 in salt are reproduced successfully in the calibrated model materials. The model results suggest that the observed distribution of sinkhole depth / diameter values in each material type may partly reflect sinkhole growth trends. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.5194/se-9-1341-2018 SN - 1869-9510 SN - 1869-9529 VL - 9 IS - 6 SP - 1341 EP - 1373 PB - Copernicus CY - Göttingen ER - TY - GEN A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil A1 - Holohan, Eoghan P. A1 - Taheri, Abbas A1 - Schöpfer, Martin P. J. A1 - Emam, Sacha A1 - Dahm, Torsten T1 - Geomechanical modelling of sinkhole development using distinct elements BT - model verification for a single void space and application to the Dead Sea area T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Mechanical and/or chemical removal of material from the subsurface may generate large subsurface cavities, the destabilisation of which can lead to ground collapse and the formation of sinkholes. Numerical simulation of the interaction of cavity growth, host material deformation and overburden collapse is desirable to better understand the sinkhole hazard but is a challenging task due to the involved high strains and material discontinuities. Here, we present 2-D distinct element method numerical simulations of cavity growth and sinkhole development. Firstly, we simulate cavity formation by quasi-static, stepwise removal of material in a single growing zone of an arbitrary geometry and depth. We benchmark this approach against analytical and boundary element method models of a deep void space in a linear elastic material. Secondly, we explore the effects of properties of different uniform materials on cavity stability and sinkhole development. We perform simulated biaxial tests to calibrate macroscopic geotechnical parameters of three model materials representative of those in which sinkholes develop at the Dead Sea shoreline: mud, alluvium and salt. We show that weak materials do not support large cavities, leading to gradual sagging or suffusion-style subsidence. Strong materials support quasi-stable to stable cavities, the overburdens of which may fail suddenly in a caprock or bedrock collapse style. Thirdly, we examine the consequences of layered arrangements of weak and strong materials. We find that these are more susceptible to sinkhole collapse than uniform materials not only due to a lower integrated strength of the overburden but also due to an inhibition of stabilising stress arching. Finally, we compare our model sinkhole geometries to observations at the Ghor Al-Haditha sinkhole site in Jordan. Sinkhole depth ∕ diameter ratios of 0.15 in mud, 0.37 in alluvium and 0.33 in salt are reproduced successfully in the calibrated model materials. The model results suggest that the observed distribution of sinkhole depth ∕ diameter values in each material type may partly reflect sinkhole growth trends. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1061 KW - rock mass KW - karst KW - dissolution KW - reflection KW - subsidence KW - subrosion KW - collapse KW - simulation KW - scale KW - fault Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-468435 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 1061 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Polom, Ulrich A1 - Alrshdan, Hussam A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil A1 - Holohan, Eoghan P. A1 - Dahm, Torsten A1 - Sawarieh, Ali A1 - Atallah, Mohamad Y. A1 - Krawczyk, Charlotte M. T1 - Shear wave reflection seismic yields subsurface dissolution and subrosion patterns BT - application to the Ghor Al-Haditha sinkhole site, Dead Sea, Jordan T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Near-surface geophysical imaging of alluvial fan settings is a challenging task but crucial for understating geological processes in such settings. The alluvial fan of Ghor Al-Haditha at the southeast shore of the Dead Sea is strongly affected by localized subsidence and destructive sinkhole collapses, with a significantly increasing sinkhole formation rate since ca. 1983. A similar increase is observed also on the western shore of the Dead Sea, in correlation with an ongoing decline in the Dead Sea level. Since different structural models of the upper 50 m of the alluvial fan and varying hypothetical sinkhole processes have been suggested for the Ghor Al-Haditha area in the past, this study aimed to clarify the subsurface characteristics responsible for sinkhole development. For this purpose, high-frequency shear wave reflection vibratory seismic surveys were carried out in the Ghor Al-Haditha area along several crossing and parallel profiles with a total length of 1.8 and 2.1 km in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The sedimentary architecture of the alluvial fan at Ghor Al-Haditha is resolved down to a depth of nearly 200 m at a high resolution and is calibrated with the stratigraphic profiles of two boreholes located inside the survey area. The most surprising result of the survey is the absence of evidence of a thick (> 2–10 m) compacted salt layer formerly suggested to lie at ca. 35–40 m depth. Instead, seismic reflection amplitudes and velocities image with good continuity a complex interlocking of alluvial fan deposits and lacustrine sediments of the Dead Sea between 0 and 200 m depth. Furthermore, the underground section of areas affected by sinkholes is characterized by highly scattering wave fields and reduced seismic interval velocities. We propose that the Dead Sea mud layers, which comprise distributed inclusions or lenses of evaporitic chloride, sulfate, and carbonate minerals as well as clay silicates, become increasingly exposed to unsaturated water as the sea level declines and are consequently destabilized and mobilized by both dissolution and physical erosion in the subsurface. This new interpretation of the underlying cause of sinkhole development is supported by surface observations in nearby channel systems. Overall, this study shows that shear wave seismic reflection technique is a promising method for enhanced near-surface imaging in such challenging alluvial fan settings. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 979 KW - salt dissolution KW - hazard KW - coast KW - area KW - subsidence KW - shoreline KW - karst KW - lake Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-459134 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 979 SP - 1079 EP - 1098 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil A1 - Holohan, Eoghan P. A1 - Taheri, Abbas A1 - Watson, Robert A. A1 - Polom, Ulrich A1 - Schoepfer, Martin P. J. A1 - Emam, Sacha A1 - Dahm, Torsten T1 - Distinct element geomechanical modelling of the formation of sinkhole clusters within large-scale karstic depressions JF - Solid earth N2 - The 2-D distinct element method (DEM) code (PFC2D_V5) is used here to simulate the evolution of subsidence-related karst landforms, such as single and clustered sinkholes, and associated larger-scale depressions. Subsurface material in the DEM model is removed progressively to produce an array of cavities; this simulates a network of subsurface groundwater conduits growing by chemical/mechanical erosion. The growth of the cavity array is coupled mechanically to the gravitationally loaded surroundings, such that cavities can grow also in part by material failure at their margins, which in the limit can produce individual collapse sinkholes. Two end-member growth scenarios of the cavity array and their impact on surface subsidence were examined in the models: (1) cavity growth at the same depth level and growth rate; (2) cavity growth at progressively deepening levels with varying growth rates. These growth scenarios are characterised by differing stress patterns across the cavity array and its overburden, which are in turn an important factor for the formation of sinkholes and uvalalike depressions. For growth scenario (1), a stable compression arch is established around the entire cavity array, hindering sinkhole collapse into individual cavities and favouring block-wise, relatively even subsidence across the whole cavity array. In contrast, for growth scenario (2), the stress system is more heterogeneous, such that local stress concentrations exist around individual cavities, leading to stress interactions and local wall/overburden fractures. Consequently, sinkhole collapses occur in individual cavities, which results in uneven, differential subsidence within a larger-scale depression. Depending on material properties of the cavity-hosting material and the overburden, the larger-scale depression forms either by sinkhole coalescence or by widespread subsidence linked geometrically to the entire cavity array. The results from models with growth scenario (2) are in close agreement with surface morphological and subsurface geophysical observations from an evaporite karst area on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.5194/se-10-1219-2019 SN - 1869-9510 SN - 1869-9529 VL - 10 IS - 4 SP - 1219 EP - 1241 PB - Copernicus CY - Göttingen ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kottmeier, Christoph A1 - Agnon, Amotz A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil A1 - Alpert, Pinhas A1 - Corsmeier, Ulrich A1 - Dahm, Torsten A1 - Eshel, Adam A1 - Geyer, Stefan A1 - Haas, Michael A1 - Holohan, Eoghan A1 - Kalthoff, Norbert A1 - Kishcha, Pavel A1 - Krawczyk, Charlotte A1 - Lati, Joseph A1 - Laronne, Jonathan B. A1 - Lott, Friederike A1 - Mallast, Ulf A1 - Merz, Ralf A1 - Metzger, Jutta A1 - Mohsen, Ayman A1 - Morin, Efrat A1 - Nied, Manuela A1 - Roediger, Tino A1 - Salameh, Elias A1 - Sawarieh, Ali A1 - Shannak, Benbella A1 - Siebert, Christian A1 - Weber, Michael T1 - New perspectives on interdisciplinary earth science at the Dead Sea: The DESERVE project JF - The science of the total environment : an international journal for scientific research into the environment and its relationship with man N2 - The Dead Sea region has faced substantial environmental challenges in recent decades, including water resource scarcity, similar to 1 m annual decreases in the water level, sinkhole development, ascending-brine freshwater pollution, and seismic disturbance risks. Natural processes are significantly affected by human interference as well as by climate change and tectonic developments over the long term. To get a deep understanding of processes and their interactions, innovative scientific approaches that integrate disciplinary research and education are required. The research project DESERVE (Helmholtz Virtual Institute Dead Sea Research Venue) addresses these challenges in an interdisciplinary approach that includes geophysics, hydrology, and meteorology. The project is implemented by a consortium of scientific institutions in neighboring countries of the Dead Sea (Israel, Jordan, Palestine Territories) and participating German Helmholtz Centres (KIT, GFZ, UFZ). A new monitoring network of meteorological, hydrological, and seismic/geodynamic stations has been established, and extensive field research and numerical simulations have been undertaken. For the first time, innovative measurement and modeling techniques have been applied to the extreme conditions of the Dead Sea and its surroundings. The preliminary results show the potential of these methods. First time ever performed eddy covariance measurements give insight into the governing factors of Dead Sea evaporation. High-resolution bathymetric investigations reveal a strong correlation between submarine springs and neo-tectonic patterns. Based on detailed studies of stratigraphy and borehole information, the extension of the subsurface drainage basin of the Dead Sea is now reliably estimated. Originality has been achieved in monitoring flash floods in an arid basin at its outlet and simultaneously in tributaries, supplemented by spatio-temporal rainfall data. Low-altitude, high resolution photogrammetry, allied to satellite image analysis and to geophysical surveys (e.g. shear-wave reflections) has enabled a more detailed characterization of sinkhole morphology and temporal development and the possible subsurface controls thereon. All the above listed efforts and scientific results take place with the interdisciplinary education of young scientists. They are invited to attend joint thematic workshops and winter schools as well as to participate in field experiments. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. KW - Climate KW - Water balance KW - Flash floods KW - Seismicity KW - Sinkholes KW - Education Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.003 SN - 0048-9697 SN - 1879-1026 VL - 544 SP - 1045 EP - 1058 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - THES A1 - Al-Halbouni, Djamil T1 - Photogrammetry and distinct element geomechanical modelling of sinkholes and large-scale karstic depressions T1 - Photogrammetrie und geomechanische Diskrete-Elemente-Modellierung von Erdfällen und großskaligen Karstsenken N2 - Sinkholes and depressions are typical landforms of karst regions. They pose a considerable natural hazard to infrastructure, agriculture, economy and human life in affected areas worldwide. The physio-chemical processes of sinkholes and depression formation are manifold, ranging from dissolution and material erosion in the subsurface to mechanical subsidence/failure of the overburden. This thesis addresses the mechanisms leading to the development of sinkholes and depressions by using complementary methods: remote sensing, distinct element modelling and near-surface geophysics. In the first part, detailed information about the (hydro)-geological background, ground structures, morphologies and spatio-temporal development of sinkholes and depressions at a very active karst area at the Dead Sea are derived from satellite image analysis, photogrammetry and geologic field surveys. There, clusters of an increasing number of sinkholes have been developing since the 1980s within large-scale depressions and are distributed over different kinds of surface materials: clayey mud, sandy-gravel alluvium and lacustrine evaporites (salt). The morphology of sinkholes differs depending in which material they form: Sinkholes in sandy-gravel alluvium and salt are generally deeper and narrower than sinkholes in the interbedded evaporite and mud deposits. From repeated aerial surveys, collapse precursory features like small-scale subsidence, individual holes and cracks are identified in all materials. The analysis sheds light on the ongoing hazardous subsidence process, which is driven by the base-level fall of the Dead Sea and by the dynamic formation of subsurface water channels. In the second part of this thesis, a novel, 2D distinct element geomechanical modelling approach with the software PFC2D-V5 to simulating individual and multiple cavity growth and sinkhole and large-scale depression development is presented. The approach involves a stepwise material removal technique in void spaces of arbitrarily shaped geometries and is benchmarked by analytical and boundary element method solutions for circular cavities. Simulated compression and tension tests are used to calibrate model parameters with bulk rock properties for the materials of the field site. The simulations show that cavity and sinkhole evolution is controlled by material strength of both overburden and cavity host material, the depth and relative speed of the cavity growth and the developed stress pattern in the subsurface. Major findings are: (1) A progressively deepening differential subrosion with variable growth speed yields a more fragmented stress pattern with stress interaction between the cavities. It favours multiple sinkhole collapses and nesting within large-scale depressions. (2) Low-strength materials do not support large cavities in the material removal zone, and subsidence is mainly characterised by gradual sagging into the material removal zone with synclinal bending. (3) High-strength materials support large cavity formation, leading to sinkhole formation by sudden collapse of the overburden. (4) Large-scale depression formation happens either by coalescence of collapsing holes, block-wise brittle failure, or gradual sagging and lateral widening. The distinct element based approach is compared to results from remote sensing and geophysics at the field site. The numerical simulation outcomes are generally in good agreement with derived morphometrics, documented surface and subsurface structures as well as seismic velocities. Complementary findings on the subrosion process are provided from electric and seismic measurements in the area. Based on the novel combination of methods in this thesis, a generic model of karst landform evolution with focus on sinkhole and depression formation is developed. A deepening subrosion system related to preferential flow paths evolves and creates void spaces and subsurface conduits. This subsequently leads to hazardous subsidence, and the formation of sinkholes within large-scale depressions. Finally, a monitoring system for shallow natural hazard phenomena consisting of geodetic and geophysical observations is proposed for similarly affected areas. N2 - Dolinen und Senken sind typische Landformen von Karstgebieten. Sie stellen in den betroffenen Gebieten weltweit ein erhebliches Naturrisiko für Infrastruktur, Landwirtschaft, Wirtschaft und das menschliche Leben dar. Die physikalisch-chemischen Prozesse der Entstehung solcher Senkungen sind vielfältig und reichen von Auflösung und Materialerosion im Untergrund bis zu mechanischem Absenken/Bruchs des Oberbodens. Diese Arbeit betrachtet die Mechanismen, die zur Entwicklung von Dolinen und Senken führen, anhand von verschiedenen geowissenschaftlichen Methoden:Fernerkundung, Gesteinsmechanischer Modellierung und pberflächennaher Geophysik. Im ersten Teil werden detaillierte Informationen über den geologischen Hintergrund, Bodenstrukturen, Formen und die räumlich-zeitliche Entwicklung von Senkungen an einem sehr aktiven Karstgebiet am Toten Meer zusammengetragen. Dort bilden sich seit den 1980er Jahren immer größere Ansammlungen von Erdfällen, wie diese Phänomene auch oft genannt werden. Die Form der Erdfälle unterscheidet sich je nach Material, in dem sie entstehen: Erdfälle in Sand-Kies Böden und Salz sind im Allgemeinen tiefer und schmaler als Dolinen in den Schlammablagerungen des Toten Meeres. Wiederholte Aufnahmen aus der Luft mit Hilfe von Drohnen oder Ballons helfen dabei, kleine Absenkungen, einzelne Löcher und Risse zu identifizieren. Die Ursache dieser gefährlichen Absenkungen am Toten Meer ist in dem stetigen Fall des Seespiegels und der Bildung von starken Unterwasserkanälen zu sehen, die fortlaufend Material aus dem Boden herausspülen, sog. Subrosion. Im zweiten Teil dieser Dissertation wird ein neuer, geomechanischer Modellierungsansatz zur Simulation des Wachstums von Hohlräumen im Untergrund und der Bildung von Senkungsstrukturen vorgestellt. Die Simulationen zeigen, dass die Entwicklung der Hohlräume und Erdfälle durch die Materialstärke, die Tiefe und Geschwindigkeit des Hohlraumwachstums und durch das sich bildende Spannungsmuster im Untergrund gesteuert wird. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der Studie sind: (1) Eine fortlaufend sich vertiefende Subrosion mit variabler Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit führt zu einem stärker fragmentierten Spannungsmuster im Boden. Es begünstigt das Bilden von ineinander verschachtelten Erdfällen (Cluster) in großen Vertiefungen. (2) Materialien mit niedriger Festigkeit (wie z.B. Schlamm) können keine großen Hohlräume bilden, und das Absinken geschieht durch ein allmähliches Absacken. (3) Materialien mit hoher Festigkeit (wie z.B. verfestigte Sande/Kiese oder Steinsalz) unterstützen die Bildung großer Hohlräume, was zu einem plötzlichen Zusammenbruch des Oberbodens führen kann. (4) Großskalige Senkungsstrukturen bilden sich entweder durch das Verschachteln von kleineren Dolinen, blockweise sprödem Versagen, oder das allmähliche Absinken mit seitlicher Erweiterung. Die Ergebnisse der numerischen Simulationen stimmen im Allgemeinen sehr gut sowohl mit den beobachteten Senkungsformen an der Oberfläche überein, als auch mit Untergrundstrukturen beobachtet durch seismische und elektrische Methoden. Basierend auf der neuartigen Methodenkombination dieser Arbeit wird ein generisches Modell der Entwicklung von Senkungsstrukturen in Karstgebieten vorgestellt. Eine sich vertiefende Subrosion entlang von unterirdischen Kanälen erzeugt Hohlräume und führt in der Folge zu diesen gefährlichen Absenkungen und zur Bildung von Erdfällen innerhalb großer Vertiefungen. KW - Photogrammetry KW - Sinkholes KW - Karst KW - Discrete Element Method KW - Geomechanical Modelling KW - Applied Geophysics KW - Natural Hazards KW - Photogrammetrie KW - Erdfälle KW - Karst KW - Diskrete-Elemente-Methode KW - Geomechanische Modellierung KW - Angewandte Geophysik KW - Naturgefahren Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-432159 ER -