GEOPHYSICAL SITE CHARACTERIZATION: GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR AND REFLECTION SEISMIC STUDY OF PREVIOUSLY MINED (LEAD/ZINC) GROUND, JOPLIN MISSOURI

The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) conducted a reflection seismic/ground-penetrating radar survey for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) along segments of proposed interstate route 249, near Joplin, Missouri across ground previously mined for lead/zinc. A total of 14,600 lineal meters of shallow reflection seismic data, nine downhole seismic calibration check-shots and 15,000 lineal meters of ground penetrating radar (GPR) data were acquired. The seismic data were acquired to map Mississippian bedrock, locate and identify paleo-sinkholes and abandoned mine features, and determine structural geologic trends in the study area. The GPR data were acquired to identify and locate abandoned mine access and ventilation shafts in areas that were overlain by surficial milled ore rock (chat). Pre-construction knowledge of these anthropogenic and natural features will assist in route selection and geotechnical site mitigation, and minimize both the potential for contractor variable site condition claims and the potential for long-term subsidence-related problems. The geophysical survey was successful in meeting MoDOT goals. The interpretation of the seismic data, and corroborative engineering geologic field mapping and drilling, established that the shallow reflection seismic technique can be used in the Joplin area to map bedrock structure (including) probable fault lineaments and paleo-sinkholes), locate abandoned, in-filled and/or caved-in open pit mines; and define areas of probable shallow mining activity. The interpretation of the GPR data established that the GPR technique can be used in the Joplin area to locate abandoned mine access and ventilation shafts, even where such shafts are in-filled and overlain by a thin veneer of mill-waste products.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Anderson, N L
  • Hatheway, A W
  • Newton, T E
  • Shoemaker, M L
  • Cardimona, S
  • Conley, J
• Conference:
  • Geophysics 2002. The 2nd Annual Conference on the Application of Geophysical and NDT Methodologies to Transportation Facilities and Infrastructure
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • Date: 2002-4-15 to 2002-4-19
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 17p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Geophysics; Ground penetrating radar; Lead (Metal); Ores; Reflection; Rocks; Seismic prospecting; Zinc
• Geographic Terms: Missouri
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00926471
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 24 2002 12:00AM