the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
High-resolution seismic reflection surveying to delineate shallow subsurface geological structures in the karst area of Shenzhen, China
Abstract. Near-surface seismic reflection surveys can produce high-resolution geological structural images for engineering and hydrological investigations. To help delineate shallow subsurface complex geological structures in a karst area and to better understand limestone cave formation, a high-resolution 2D seismic reflection profile was acquired and processed in the urban area of Shenzhen, China. The stacked images detail subsurface structures down to depths of 80–90 m, including a concave shaped reflection, two thrusts and one normal fault, as well as a hard rock basement reflection at the southern end of the profile which could not be mapped by borehole investigations due to the limited drilling depth. Our interpretations correlate well with borehole data and synthetic modeling. Limestone caves are mainly found along faults and near rivers in this area. Our results provide new insight on the formation mechanism and distribution of the karst caves. Movement along faults and erosion generated fractures and fissures in the limestone that provide channels for rainwater and groundwater to circulate. These waters, rich in carbonic acid, dissolve minerals in the limestone, resulting in the formation of underground cavities. Mapping of the subsurface with geophysical methods can contribute to mitigation of karst hazards in the Pingshan district, Shenzhen.
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CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-4050', Giacomo Medici, 29 Jan 2025
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General comments
Good geophysical research on karst. See below specific comments to improve your manuscript.
Specific comments
Lines 28-29. “Karst hazards pose challenges for various industries, particularly those dependent on stable ground conditions, such as construction, agriculture, and infrastructure development”. Insert recent papers that face the relationship between industry and karst environments:
- Chen, N., Valdes, D., Marlin, C., Blanchoud, H., Guerin, R., Rouelle, M. and Ribstein, P., 2019. Water, nitrate and atrazine transfer through the unsaturated zone of the Chalk aquifer in northern France. Science of the Total Environment, 652, 927-938.
- Medici, G., Munn, J.D., Parker, B.L. 2024. Delineating aquitard characteristics within a Silurian dolostone aquifer using high-density hydraulic head and fracture datasets. Hydrogeology Journal, 32(6), 1663-1691.
Line 63. Please, clearly disclose the 3 to 4 specific objectives of your research by using numbers (e.g., i, ii, and iii).
Lines 65-70. “Zhenghe-Dapu fault zone”. Is it a normal fault? Please, specify.
Lines 65-75. Please, provide more detail on the carbonate stratigraphy.
Line 220. I can see in the interpretation of the seismic line thrusts and normal faults. You need to insert in the setting more information on either compressional or extensional tectonics to back-up the output of your seismic survey.
Lines 229-238. Please, provide more detail on the nature and the geometry of the karst landforms.
Line 266. Consider inserting recent literature on karst environments that has been suggested.
Figures and tables
Figure 1. Insert symbols for the type of fault.
Figure 2a. All the tops of the wells have the same elevation. Possible? Please, check or specify that we are on a plain.
Figure 10. “Karst area”. Specify the types of karst landforms.
Figure 10. Specify the type of faults.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4050-CC1
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