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Land Subsidence Case Studies and Current Research; Proceedings of the Dr. Joseph F. Poland Symposium on Land Subsidence,
Engineering Geology 54 (1999) 329–331
Book review Land Subsidence Case Studies and Current Research; Proceedings of the Dr. Joseph F. Poland Symposium on Land Subsidence, Association of Engineering Geologists Special Publication No. 8, Star Publishing Company, Belmont, CA, 1998, edited by James W. Borchers, x + 576 pp., US$ 75.00, ISBN 0-89863-197-1 Both reviewers of this memorial volume have sought guidance for decades from the concepts, geo-principles and scientific legacy established by Dr. Joseph F. Poland relative to groundwater extraction and the potential for man-induced subsidence. We can point to little more of the consequences of his impact on practitioners over half-acentury than this tribute by Joe’s colleagues and admirers, who have assembled and published the proceedings of a Land Subsidence Symposium held in his memory. This unusual volume serves to inform both the layman as well as geological and engineering specialists of the causes for and innovative techniques to avoid or mitigate subsidence in action. Furthermore, special mention is due the editor, James W. Borchers, for his outstanding dedication, diligence, and an innovative compilation of the symposium proceedings. His energized envisage has sorted out the many ideas, concepts, and principles fostered by Joe Poland into an orderly overview on the origin and mitigation of subsidence actions and the impact of today’s legal–political issues. This book includes several papers that were solicited by the editor after the symposium. The Poland monograph sets forth the accepted rules and the countless subtleties that prepare the geo-practitioner with an understanding on how to evaluate and arrest the processes and causes of sub-
sidence. The phenomenon is common to such geological settings as unconsolidated deposits, carbonate-evaporitic rocks, and areas of underground openings/mining as described in case studies at localities in 13 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida) and nine foreign areas (North Sea, Italy, Slovakia, Japan, China, India, Australia, Vietnam and South Africa). The editor has compiled the 57 invited papers into eight distinctive chapters which broaden the earlier scientific findings of Joe Poland, along with the recent studies and advancements of others to mitigate or avoid the effects of land subsidence. The volume is a ‘gold-mine’ of primary- and secondary-level facts and a database to broaden and enhance the capabilities of practitioners and researchers alike to understand the subsidence phenomena. The individual chapters relate truisms and lessons-learned available to the practitioner confronted with an occurrence of ground subsidence; initial observations can be compared with a similar case (this volume). The introductory chapter 1 provides a series of background papers and remembrances of Joe Poland, the pioneer and inspirational leader of land subsidence research for 50 years, 1930s–80s. These papers by Holzer, Riley, Bull, and Bean are some of the best in the book. They contain summaries of the current state of our knowledge regarding processes causing land subsidence not found in other publications. Holzer — comparison of the processes that cause compaction of aquifer systems to processes causing compaction of hydrocarbon and reservoirs. Riley — a lucid summary of the physics of aquifer compaction as related to fields
0013-7952/99/$ – see front matter © 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0 0 1 3 -7 9 5 2 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 09 5 - 2
330
Book Review / Engineering Geology 54 (1999) 329–331
of soil mechanics, hydrology, geology, and geotechnical engineering that emphasizes the importance of field installations. Bull — discusses the geologic and climatic conditions responsible for deposition of subsidence prone sediments in the San Joaquin Valley. Bean — a well illustrated summary of field experiments that established ‘state-ofthe-art’ methods to assess potential for hydrocompaction of debris flow deposits and its importance to such engineered works as California aqueducts. The technical proceedings begin with a description of worldwide incidences of hydrocompaction and consolidation of unconsolidated deposits in chapter 2 and related aspects in chapter 3. This includes an update on the original site of subsidence as recognized in the San Joaquin Valley of California and the critical contributory role of the Corcoron diatomaceous clay unit in unravelling the causes for closed linear depressions and long, linear ground fractures, although some may have been reactivated paleofractures or tectonic in origin. Modern techniques such as down-hole video and first arrival (short wave) seismic surveys on short-geophone spacing can provide recognition of evidential processes such as hydrocompression and hydroswell, both early theories advanced by modern soil mechanics. Subsidence principles have also borrowed from other soil mechanics theories such as finite-element mathematical approximation to explain the sensitivity of related processes. The eight papers of chapter 3 focus on the multiple steps of earth fissures and ground cracks and on the occurrence, detection, and processes that cause earth fissures to form in the arid western United States. These physical features visible after damage forcibly awaken citizens and public leaders, and are the stage of development when engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers are ultimately invited to come forth and undertake mitigation measures. Chapter 4 presents four theoretical papers in which the authors utilize computer modeling to approximate the stress distributions from different causes to predict the amount of differential subsidence such as hydrocarbon extraction, groundwater pumping, and coal mining. Interestingly, decades of subsidence in Ravenna area, Italy, due to groundwater and gas withdrawal, created a
tourist attraction. Four, long-standing ‘tower-like’ buildings founded on the deltaic deposits of Po River were prominent ‘leaning-towers’ when investigated by the writer (GAK, 1964). With hydrocompaction likenesses in place, chapters 5 and 6 present nine papers dealing with subsidence related to various forms of subsurface mine disturbances and the mineral extraction of coal, limestone and salt. The mined-out and dewatered cavities excavated for fossil fuel storage may provide a means of limiting or mitigating ongoing subsidence; if so, this allows for secondary uses of the land surface. Not to be forgotten are the early recognition of subsidence threats from the karstic dissolution of carbonates and evaporites, and the effects of subsurface drainage openings below the regional groundwater surface. Chapter 7 consists of six papers that examine new theories and/or techniques related to the potential for changes in physical geometry or properties of areas undergoing active subsidence; four of the six papers present the results of field studies. They are innovative applications of cutting edge monitoring techniques that have been proved in the field, such as Helms’ paper that derives theoretical equations on behavior of materials; his predictions correlate with the results of laboratory tests. These techniques are somewhat speculative but present innovations worthy of continued consideration in the database collection, evaluation and long-term monitoring of the various subsidence challenges. General topics, contained in the four papers of chapter 8, are something of an extrapolation of the more traditional subsidence themes. From India comes an interesting example of the unsolved impacts of uncontrolled and unmanaged extraction of water, oil, natural gas, minerals, random construction and forest denudation that accompanies uncontrolled population growth in the Third World. Another Indian paper emphasizes the ongoing effects of neotectonically-driven land subsidence. Chapter 9 has seven papers on the resourcemanagement’s, legal and political constraints, and the need for field-experienced geological judgment and input on non-scientific issues related to subsidence. Four papers describe newly-emerging subsi-
Book Review / Engineering Geology 54 (1999) 329–331
dence problems which include the impact from: loss of wetlands; population-driven stress and groundwater withdrawal; regulation of newly developed lands experiencing subsidence; establishment Geological Hazard Abatement of Subsidence Report Zones; and define acceptable-risk for public housing built on active karstic terrain. A mock court meeting of Supervisors for Moot County, California was part of the Societal and Legal Issues sessions. Hypothetical testimony by experts discussed — should construction for a new housing project be authorized when ground subsidence will occur and impact the dwellings? This volume is a one-source reference on land subsidence, a geological constraint frequently encountered by applied GeoScience practitioners, engineers, and interdependent specialists worldwide. It is also a key source of lecture material for advance-level applied GeoScience courses and related environmental and engineering disciplines. Furthermore, the origin and features of land subsidence are important to specialist in other disciplines of geological practice besides engineering geology, hydrogeology, and environmental science, e.g. soil science, Quaternary geology, and non-tectonic structures. The wide range of case history studies on subsidence provide a database for many lay users such as: local boards, committees, and public legislative groups; planning — zoning and administrative hearing boards; Federal, State or County regula-
331
tory agencies; professional arbitrators; real estate developers; insurers as risk takers; and societal and political groups responsible for Geological Hazard Zones. The Poland Subsidence volume is the sixth recent publication that concentrates on selective GeoScience principles, phenomena, innovative techniques, and clarifying case histories that are basic to the application of GeoScience theory in the practice of Environmental/Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, and other related disciplines. These special-oriented volumes are on: State of Washington, ed. R. Galster, two volumes, 1989; Heritage-Engineering Geology, ed. G. Kiersch, 1991; Southern California, eds. B. Pipkin, R. Proctor, 1992; Landslides — Investigations and Mitigation, eds. K. Turner, R. Schuster, 1996; State of Oregon, ed. S. Burns, 1997. George A. Kiersch (Professor Emeritus, Cornell University and Consultant) 4750 N. Camino Luz, Tucson, AZ 85718, USA Allen W. Hatheway (Professor of Geological Engineering and Consultant) University of Missouri-Rolla, 129 McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO 65409-0230, USA
Book review Land Subsidence Case Studies and Current Research; Proceedings of the Dr. Joseph F. Poland Symposium on Land Subsidence, Association of Engineering Geologists Special Publication No. 8, Star Publishing Company, Belmont, CA, 1998, edited by James W. Borchers, x + 576 pp., US$ 75.00, ISBN 0-89863-197-1 Both reviewers of this memorial volume have sought guidance for decades from the concepts, geo-principles and scientific legacy established by Dr. Joseph F. Poland relative to groundwater extraction and the potential for man-induced subsidence. We can point to little more of the consequences of his impact on practitioners over half-acentury than this tribute by Joe’s colleagues and admirers, who have assembled and published the proceedings of a Land Subsidence Symposium held in his memory. This unusual volume serves to inform both the layman as well as geological and engineering specialists of the causes for and innovative techniques to avoid or mitigate subsidence in action. Furthermore, special mention is due the editor, James W. Borchers, for his outstanding dedication, diligence, and an innovative compilation of the symposium proceedings. His energized envisage has sorted out the many ideas, concepts, and principles fostered by Joe Poland into an orderly overview on the origin and mitigation of subsidence actions and the impact of today’s legal–political issues. This book includes several papers that were solicited by the editor after the symposium. The Poland monograph sets forth the accepted rules and the countless subtleties that prepare the geo-practitioner with an understanding on how to evaluate and arrest the processes and causes of sub-
sidence. The phenomenon is common to such geological settings as unconsolidated deposits, carbonate-evaporitic rocks, and areas of underground openings/mining as described in case studies at localities in 13 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida) and nine foreign areas (North Sea, Italy, Slovakia, Japan, China, India, Australia, Vietnam and South Africa). The editor has compiled the 57 invited papers into eight distinctive chapters which broaden the earlier scientific findings of Joe Poland, along with the recent studies and advancements of others to mitigate or avoid the effects of land subsidence. The volume is a ‘gold-mine’ of primary- and secondary-level facts and a database to broaden and enhance the capabilities of practitioners and researchers alike to understand the subsidence phenomena. The individual chapters relate truisms and lessons-learned available to the practitioner confronted with an occurrence of ground subsidence; initial observations can be compared with a similar case (this volume). The introductory chapter 1 provides a series of background papers and remembrances of Joe Poland, the pioneer and inspirational leader of land subsidence research for 50 years, 1930s–80s. These papers by Holzer, Riley, Bull, and Bean are some of the best in the book. They contain summaries of the current state of our knowledge regarding processes causing land subsidence not found in other publications. Holzer — comparison of the processes that cause compaction of aquifer systems to processes causing compaction of hydrocarbon and reservoirs. Riley — a lucid summary of the physics of aquifer compaction as related to fields
0013-7952/99/$ – see front matter © 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0 0 1 3 -7 9 5 2 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 09 5 - 2
330
Book Review / Engineering Geology 54 (1999) 329–331
of soil mechanics, hydrology, geology, and geotechnical engineering that emphasizes the importance of field installations. Bull — discusses the geologic and climatic conditions responsible for deposition of subsidence prone sediments in the San Joaquin Valley. Bean — a well illustrated summary of field experiments that established ‘state-ofthe-art’ methods to assess potential for hydrocompaction of debris flow deposits and its importance to such engineered works as California aqueducts. The technical proceedings begin with a description of worldwide incidences of hydrocompaction and consolidation of unconsolidated deposits in chapter 2 and related aspects in chapter 3. This includes an update on the original site of subsidence as recognized in the San Joaquin Valley of California and the critical contributory role of the Corcoron diatomaceous clay unit in unravelling the causes for closed linear depressions and long, linear ground fractures, although some may have been reactivated paleofractures or tectonic in origin. Modern techniques such as down-hole video and first arrival (short wave) seismic surveys on short-geophone spacing can provide recognition of evidential processes such as hydrocompression and hydroswell, both early theories advanced by modern soil mechanics. Subsidence principles have also borrowed from other soil mechanics theories such as finite-element mathematical approximation to explain the sensitivity of related processes. The eight papers of chapter 3 focus on the multiple steps of earth fissures and ground cracks and on the occurrence, detection, and processes that cause earth fissures to form in the arid western United States. These physical features visible after damage forcibly awaken citizens and public leaders, and are the stage of development when engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers are ultimately invited to come forth and undertake mitigation measures. Chapter 4 presents four theoretical papers in which the authors utilize computer modeling to approximate the stress distributions from different causes to predict the amount of differential subsidence such as hydrocarbon extraction, groundwater pumping, and coal mining. Interestingly, decades of subsidence in Ravenna area, Italy, due to groundwater and gas withdrawal, created a
tourist attraction. Four, long-standing ‘tower-like’ buildings founded on the deltaic deposits of Po River were prominent ‘leaning-towers’ when investigated by the writer (GAK, 1964). With hydrocompaction likenesses in place, chapters 5 and 6 present nine papers dealing with subsidence related to various forms of subsurface mine disturbances and the mineral extraction of coal, limestone and salt. The mined-out and dewatered cavities excavated for fossil fuel storage may provide a means of limiting or mitigating ongoing subsidence; if so, this allows for secondary uses of the land surface. Not to be forgotten are the early recognition of subsidence threats from the karstic dissolution of carbonates and evaporites, and the effects of subsurface drainage openings below the regional groundwater surface. Chapter 7 consists of six papers that examine new theories and/or techniques related to the potential for changes in physical geometry or properties of areas undergoing active subsidence; four of the six papers present the results of field studies. They are innovative applications of cutting edge monitoring techniques that have been proved in the field, such as Helms’ paper that derives theoretical equations on behavior of materials; his predictions correlate with the results of laboratory tests. These techniques are somewhat speculative but present innovations worthy of continued consideration in the database collection, evaluation and long-term monitoring of the various subsidence challenges. General topics, contained in the four papers of chapter 8, are something of an extrapolation of the more traditional subsidence themes. From India comes an interesting example of the unsolved impacts of uncontrolled and unmanaged extraction of water, oil, natural gas, minerals, random construction and forest denudation that accompanies uncontrolled population growth in the Third World. Another Indian paper emphasizes the ongoing effects of neotectonically-driven land subsidence. Chapter 9 has seven papers on the resourcemanagement’s, legal and political constraints, and the need for field-experienced geological judgment and input on non-scientific issues related to subsidence. Four papers describe newly-emerging subsi-
Book Review / Engineering Geology 54 (1999) 329–331
dence problems which include the impact from: loss of wetlands; population-driven stress and groundwater withdrawal; regulation of newly developed lands experiencing subsidence; establishment Geological Hazard Abatement of Subsidence Report Zones; and define acceptable-risk for public housing built on active karstic terrain. A mock court meeting of Supervisors for Moot County, California was part of the Societal and Legal Issues sessions. Hypothetical testimony by experts discussed — should construction for a new housing project be authorized when ground subsidence will occur and impact the dwellings? This volume is a one-source reference on land subsidence, a geological constraint frequently encountered by applied GeoScience practitioners, engineers, and interdependent specialists worldwide. It is also a key source of lecture material for advance-level applied GeoScience courses and related environmental and engineering disciplines. Furthermore, the origin and features of land subsidence are important to specialist in other disciplines of geological practice besides engineering geology, hydrogeology, and environmental science, e.g. soil science, Quaternary geology, and non-tectonic structures. The wide range of case history studies on subsidence provide a database for many lay users such as: local boards, committees, and public legislative groups; planning — zoning and administrative hearing boards; Federal, State or County regula-
331
tory agencies; professional arbitrators; real estate developers; insurers as risk takers; and societal and political groups responsible for Geological Hazard Zones. The Poland Subsidence volume is the sixth recent publication that concentrates on selective GeoScience principles, phenomena, innovative techniques, and clarifying case histories that are basic to the application of GeoScience theory in the practice of Environmental/Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Geological and Geotechnical Engineering, and other related disciplines. These special-oriented volumes are on: State of Washington, ed. R. Galster, two volumes, 1989; Heritage-Engineering Geology, ed. G. Kiersch, 1991; Southern California, eds. B. Pipkin, R. Proctor, 1992; Landslides — Investigations and Mitigation, eds. K. Turner, R. Schuster, 1996; State of Oregon, ed. S. Burns, 1997. George A. Kiersch (Professor Emeritus, Cornell University and Consultant) 4750 N. Camino Luz, Tucson, AZ 85718, USA Allen W. Hatheway (Professor of Geological Engineering and Consultant) University of Missouri-Rolla, 129 McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO 65409-0230, USA