Applied Karst Geology

In Dunedun, Florida, slowly developing, barely perceptible, sinkholes cracked foundations and caused over 10 million dollars in damages to some 200 homes. In Bellechester, Minnesota, the bottom of a sewage treatment lagoon collapsed, draining the contents into the local drinking water aquifer. From Germany, England, Russia, India, South Africa, Brazil and all across the US, scientists and engineers gathered to discuss the same problem: the unique and beautiful, yet treacherous and problematic character of karst terrane; geologists and hydrogeologists study it, but engineers must build on it, and al must protect it. This book contains some 35 papers, each with a practical orientation, detailing the problems of building structures on karst terrane: why and how to fix it and how to avoid problems in the future.