The use of passive seismological imaging in speleogenetic studies : an example from Kanaan Cave, Lebanon

2013

Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000320166200002

Nehme C., Voisin Christophe, Mariscal Armand, Gerard P. C., Cornou Cécile, Jabbour-Gedeon B., Amhaz S., Salloum N., Badaro-Saliba N., Adjizian-Gerard J., Delannoy J. J.

International Journal of Speleology, 2013, 42 (2), p. 97-108 ISSN 0392-6672

Among many parameters that control the evolution of caves stands the volume of unconsolidated clay sediments generally produced by the alteration of the calcareous rocks. Here we introduce the use of a passive seismological imaging technique to investigate the clay deposits and estimate its total volume in a cave. Applied for the first time for speleogenesis studies, the HVSR (Horizontal / Vertical Spectral Ratio) is a geophysical technique that can help better interpret cave geomorphology. We apply seismological spectral techniques (H/V ratio) on ambient noise vibrations to derive the clay volume, as well as its shape. This technique applied on the clay volume reveals some internal details, such as fallen blocks prior to the deposit accumulation and helps to understand deposit evacuation dynamics. The study focuses on the Kanaan Cave, located in Metn District, Lebanon, and reveals new stages related to the cave speleogenesis. This technique could be applied on 'paragenetic' caves where clay volume is frequently present in order to constrain the clay volume and reconstruct the buried floor shape of the cave, underneath the clay deposit.

Géologie et formations superficielles [064]

LIBAN

Fonds IRD [F B010060429]

fdi:010060429