Sinkhole evolution in the Apulian karst of southern Italy: A case study, with some considerations on sinkhole hazards

摘要

Sinkholes are the main karst landforms characterizing the Salento Peninsula, which is the southernmost part of the Apulia region of southern Italy. They occur both as evolving recent phenomena and old or relict features testifying to ancient phases of karst processes acting in the area. Most of the sinkholes were formed by karst processes that may be reactivated, a risk to the anthropogenic structures nearby. To highlight such a subtle hazard, an area located a few kilometers from Lecce, the main town in Salento, was the subject of geological, morphological, and geophysical investigations. Historical analysis of multi-year aerial photographs, in particular, allowed identification of several phases in the recent evolution of a particular sinkhole, and demonstrated the need to carefully evaluate the likely evolution of similar features in Salento.