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

• Main Authors: Nehmé Carole, Voisin Christophe, Mariscal Armand, Gérard Pierre-Charles, Cornou Cécile, Jabbour-Gédéon Badr, Amhaz Samer, Salloum Nancy, Badaro-Saliba Nada, Adjizian-Gerard Jocelyne, Delannoy Jean-Jacques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of South Florida Libraries 2013-05-01
• Series: International Journal of Speleology
• Subjects: speleogenesis; HVSR; sediment thickness; Kanaan Cave; Lebanon
• Online Access: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1123&context=ijs
• ISSN: 0392-6672; 1827-806X

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 Ration) 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.