Geophysical surveys integrated with rainfall data analysis for the study of soil piping phenomena occurred in a densely urbanized area in eastern Sicily

Abstract The occurrence of strong and abrupt rainfall, together with a wrong land use planning an uncontrolled urban development, can constitute risk for infrastructure population. water flow in the subsoil, under certain conditions, may cause underground cavities formation. This phenomena known as soil piping evolve generate surface collapse. It is clear that such densely urbanized areas represent unpredictable consistent factor, which interfere social activities. In this study multidisciplinary approach aimed to obtain useful information mitigation risks associated has been developed. at defining causes sudden subsidence events, well definition extension possible evolution these instability areas. obtained from rainfall data analysis, morphological, geological hydrogeological characteristics, have allowed us evaluate led formation pipes. Furthermore, performance 3D electrical resistivity surveys area affected by estimate their subsoil identifying presence further susceptible instability.