Geophysical and geochemical investigations of a developing sinkhole in Guidonia area (Lazio)

The Plio-Quaternary Acque Albule Basin is already
known for the occurrence of sinkholes; since the
spring 2014, it has been ongoing the study of an active subsidence
process, which formed a depressed area near the
Guidonia village. During the last year, the phenomenon has
become more intense giving rise to two collapses along the
eastern rim of the depression. Thus, geophysical and geogeochemical
investigation campaigns started in order to understand
the genesis and evolution of the phenomenon. Survey
results allowed a geological and structural characterization,
showing the presence of “travertino” at the depression margins
and its absence therein. It has been recognized, by the
geophysics, features with NW-SE and NNE-SSW direction
ascribable to a possible depression fracturing and consistent
with regional structural trends. Thus, it has been possible to
plan and perform geognostic investigation consisting in two
drillings aimed to define the stratigraphy of the marginal and
inner part of the depression.