1.1 Introduction
1.2 A history of significant geohazards in the UK
1.2.1 Gas hazards
1.2.1.1 1986 Loscoe methane gas explosion, Derbyshire
1.2.1.2 Radon hazard, Northamptonshire
1.2.2 Karst and dissolution hazard
1.2.2.1 2012 Carsington Pasture, variable rockhead, Derbyshire
1.2.2.2 Ripon dissolution subsidence, North Yorkshire
1.2.3 Landslides and slope failures
1.2.3.1 Significant inland landslides
1.2.3.2 1966 Aberfan tip failure, South Wales
1.2.3.3 2000 M25 Flint Hall Farm landslide
1.2.3.4 1979 Mam Tor landslide, Derbyshire
1.2.3.5 Coastal landslides and coastal erosion
1.2.3.6 1915 Folkestone Warren landslide, Kent
1.2.3.7 1983 Holbeck Hall landslide, Scarborough, Yorkshire
1.2.4 Periglacial legacy
1.2.4.1 1984 Carsington Dam embankment failure, Derbyshire
1.2.5 Central London, drift-filled hollows
1.2.5.1 1965 A21 Sevenoaks Bypass slope failures, Kent
1.2.5.2 1961 M6 Walton’s Wood embankment failure
1.2.6 Seismic events
1.2.6.1 1884 Colchester earthquake, Essex
1.2.6.2 1931 Dogger Bank earthquake, North Sea
1.2.7 Tsunami events
1.2.7.1 1755 Lisbon earthquake-generated tsunami
1.2.7.2 c. 8150 BP Storegga submarine landslide and tsunami
1.2.8 Volcanic events
1.2.8.1 2010 Eyjafjallajokull ash fall disruption
1.2.8.2 1783–1784 Laki fissure eruption, Iceland
1.2.9 Mining hazards
1.2.9.1 2000 chalk mine collapse, Reading, Berkshire
1.2.10 Deep coal workings
1.2.10.1 1945 Ludovic Berry and Dolly the train incident, Wigan
1.2.11 Geotechnical hazards
1.2.11.1 1976 subsidence related to clay shrinkage
1.2.12 Poorly recognized geohazards
1.3 Geological Society Engineering Group Working Party on Geohazards
1.3.1 Background
1.3.2 Membership
1.3.3 Terms of reference of the Working Party
1.3.4 Developing the report
1.3.5 Contents and structure of the report
1.3.6 Geological hazards: Working Party definitions and report limitations
1.4 Section A: Tectonic Hazards
1.4.1 Chapter 2: Seismic hazard in the UK
1.4.2 Chapter 3: Tsunami hazard with reference to the UK
1.5 Section B: Slope Stability Hazards
1.5.1 Chapter 4: Landslide and slope stability hazard in the UK
1.5.2 Chapter 5: Debris flows
1.6 Section C: Problematic Ground and Geotechnical Hazards
1.6.1 Chapter 6: Collapsible soils in the UK
1.6.2 Chapter 7: Quick-clay behaviour in sensitive Quaternary marine clays: UK perspective
1.6.3 Chapter 8: Swelling and shrinking soils
1.6.4 Chapter 9: Peat hazards: compression and failure
1.6.5 Chapter 10: Relict periglacial hazards
1.6.6 Chapter 11: Subsidence resulting from coal mining
1.6.7 Chapter 12: Subsidence resulting from chalk and flint mining
1.6.7.1 Flint mine workings
1.6.7.2 Chalk mine workings
1.6.8 Chapter 13: Hazards associated with mining and mineral exploitation in Cornwall and Devon, SW England
1.6.9 Chapter 14: Geological hazards from salt mining and brine extraction
1.6.10 Chapter 15: Geological hazards from carbonate dissolution
1.6.11 Chapter 16: Geological hazards caused by gypsum and anhydrite in the UK: dissolution, subsidence, sinkholes and heave
1.6.12 Chapter 17: Mining-induced fault reactivation in the UK
1.7 Section E: Gas Hazards
1.7.1 Chapter 18: Radon gas hazard
1.7.2 Chapter 19: Methane gas hazard
Conclusions
References
Chapter 2 Seismic hazard, R. M. W. Musson
2.1 Earthquakes as a geohazard
2.2 Distribution of earthquakes in the UK
2.3 Consequences of British earthquakes
2.4 Identifying earthquakes as a geohazard in the UK
2.5 Past practice of seismic hazard in the UK
2.6 Seismic hazard mapping in the UK
2.7 Earthquake monitoring in the UK
2.8 Remedial action
2.9 Limits to earthquake hazard in the UK
2.10 Actions to take in an earthquake
Glossary
Data sources and further reading
References
Chapter 3 Tsunami hazard with reference to the UK, David Peter Giles
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Tsunami geohazard
3.3 Tsunami wave characteristics
3.4 Tsunami generation processes
3.4.1 Tsunamigenic earthquakes
3.4.2 Tsunamigenic landslides
3.4.3 Tsunamigenic volcanism
3.4.4 Meteotsunami
3.4.5 Other potential tsunami-generating mechanisms
3.5 UK tsunami threat
3.6 Notable tsunami events with a UK impact
3.6.1 c. 8150 BP Holocene Storegga submarine landslide and tsunami
3.6.2 c. 5500 BP Holocene Garth tsunami
3.6.3 1755 AD Lisbon earthquake and tsunami
3.6.4 1911 AD Abbot’s Cliff failure, Folkestone
3.6.5 Other Dover Straits events
3.7 Tsunami management and mitigation
3.8 Concluding comments
References
Chapter 4 Landslide and slope stability hazard in the UK, Edward Mark Lee, David Peter Giles
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Landslide types
4.3 The landslide inventory for Great Britain
4.4 The Irish landslide inventory
4.5 The landslide environment of the UK
4.5.1 Peat failures
4.5.2 Slope deformation: cambering and complex rock block spreads
4.5.3 Large rock slope failures in the Scottish Highlands
4.5.4 Flow slides in colliery spoil
4.5.5 Coastal landslides: cliff behaviour units
4.6 Causes of landslides
4.6.1 Landslides and rainfall
4.6.2 Anthropogenic effects
4.6.3 Landslide controls: the influence of geology
4.7 Phases of landslide activity
4.7.1 Repeated phases of glacial and periglacial conditions
4.7.2 Impact of drainage adjustments during deglaciation
4.7.3 Postglacial slope responses
4.7.4 Changing climatic conditions during the Holocene
4.7.5 Climatic deterioration during the Little Ice Age
4.7.6 Anthropogenic land-use changes
4.7.7 Extreme events
4.8 Landslide risk
4.8.1 Sources of risk
4.8.2 Assessing risk
4.9 Landslide hazard
4.9.1 Landslide hazard assessment
4.9.2 Landslide investigation
4.10 Landslide risk management
4.10.1 Avoid the risk
4.10.2 Restrict or prevent access to the area at risk from landsliding
4.10.3 Accept the risk
4.10.4 Share the risk
4.10.5 Transfer the risk through litigation to recover the costs of landslide damage
4.10.6 Reduce the exposure
4.10.7 Provide forewarning of potentially damaging incidents
4.10.8 Incorporate specific ground movement tolerating measures into the building design
4.10.9 Control the area between a landslide event and the assets at risk
4.10.10 Reduce the probability of the hazard
4.11 The role of government in landslide management
4.11.1 Provision of publicly funded coast protection works
4.11.2 Control development in high-risk areas
4.11.3 Control building standards
4.11.4 Fund and co-ordinate the response to major events
4.11.5 Protect strategic infrastructure
4.12 In practice: acceptable or tolerable risks?
4.13 Concluding remarks
References
Chapter 5 Debris flows, M. G. Winter
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Types of landslide and flow mechanisms
5.3 Occurrence
5.3.1 A83 Glen Kinglas/Cairndow: 9 August 2004
5.3.2 A9 North of Dunkeld: 11 August 2004
5.3.3 A85 Glen Ogle: 18 August 2004
5.3.4 A83 Rest and be Thankful: 28 October 2007
5.4 Hazard and risk assessment
5.5 Risk reduction
5.6 Impacts
5.7 Climate change
Conclusions
References
Chapter 6 Collapsible Soils in the UK, M. G. Culshaw, K. J. Northmore, I. Jefferson, A. Assadi-Langroudi, F. G. Bell
6.1 What are collapsible soils?
6.2 Loess in the UK
6.3 How to recognize loessic brickearth
6.3.1 Description and mineralogy
6.3.2 Geotechnical properties
6.3.2.1 Particle size distribution
6.3.2.2 Density
6.3.2.3 Plasticity
6.3.2.4 Strength, consolidation and permeability of brickearth/loess
6.4 Non-engineered fills
6.5 Identifying collapsibility
6.5.1 Collapse potential
6.6 Strategies for engineering management: avoidance, prevention and mitigation
6.7 Example of damage caused by collapse
6.8 Conclusions
Glossary and Definitions
References
Further reading
Chapter 7 Quick clay behaviour in sensitive Quaternary marine clays – a UK perspective, David Peter Giles
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Mode of formation
7.3 Geotechnical properties and behaviour
7.4 Failure mechanisms
7.5 The UK context
7.6 Geohazard management and mitigation
7.7 Conclusions
References
Chapter 8 Swelling and shrinking soils, Lee Jones, Vanessa Banks, Ian Jefferson
8.1 Properties of shrink–swell soils
8.2 Costs associated with shrink–swell clay damage
8.3 Formation processes
8.4 Distribution
8.5 Characterization of shrink–swell soils
8.6 Mechanisms of shrink–swell
8.7 Shrink–swell behaviour
8.8 Strategies for engineering management: avoidance, prevention and mitigation
8.9 Shrink–swell soils and trees
8.10 Conclusions
Appendix: Definitions and glossary
References
Recommended further reading
Useful web addresses
Chapter 9 Peat hazards: compression and failure, Jeff Warburton
9.1 Introduction and scope
9.2 Engineering background: peat consolidation and compression
9.2.1 Compression of peat
9.3 UK peatlands: extent and occurrence
9.4 Geological hazards associated with peat compressibility
9.4.1 Subsidence of peat
9.4.2 Derrybrien landslide, wind farm construction, County Galway 2003
9.4.3 Direct loading by quarry waste, Harthope Quarry, North Pennine, UK
9.4.4 Failure during upland road construction, North Pennines, UK
9.5 Mitigation of the hazards posed by compressible peat soils
9.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 10 Periglacial geohazards in the UK, T. W. Berry, P. R. Fish, S. J. Price, N. W. Hadlow
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Relict periglacial geohazards
10.2.1 Deep weathering
10.2.2 Shallow-slope movements
10.2.3 Cambering and superficial valley disturbances
10.2.4 Rockhead anomalies
10.2.5 Cryogenic wedges (ice-wedge pseudomorphs)
10.3 Subsidiary relict periglacial geohazards
10.3.1 The influence of periglacial climates and processes on deep-seated landslide systems
10.3.2 Carbonate dissolution
10.3.3 Buried terrains
10.3.4 Submerged periglacial terrains
10.3.5 Loess and coversand
10.4 Conclusions
References
Chapter 11 Coal mining subsidence in the UK, Laurance Donnelly
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Subsidence characteristics
11.3 Overview of mining methods
11.3.1 Adits, drifts (inclines) and shafts
11.3.2 Bell pits
11.3.3 Room-and-pillar
11.3.4 Longwall mining
11.3.5 Subsidence associated with partial extraction of coal
11.3.5.1 Mine shafts and bell pits
11.3.5.2 Room-and-pillar workings
11.3.6 Subsidence associated with total extraction of coal
11.3.6.1 Tilt
11.3.6.2 Slope
11.3.6.3 Curvature
11.3.6.4 Strain
11.3.6.5 Horizontal displacements
11.3.6.6 Strain
11.3.6.7 Width–depth ratio
11.3.6.8 Angle-of-draw (limit angle)
11.3.6.9 Area-of-influence
11.3.6.10 Maximum subsidence
11.3.6.11 The subsidence factor
11.3.6.12 Dip of seam
11.3.6.13 Bulking
11.3.6.14 Time-dependent subsidence and residual subsidence
11.3.6.15 Multiple seams
11.3.7 Subsidence and the engineering properties of soils and rocks
11.3.7.1 Soils/superficial deposits
11.3.7.2 Rock
11.3.8 Subsidence prediction
11.3.8.1 Empirical methods
11.3.8.2 Analytical or theoretical
11.3.8.3 Semi-empirical methods
11.3.8.4 Void migration
11.4 Managing subsidence risks
11.4.1.1 Desk study
11.4.1.2 Reconnaissance (walk-over) survey
11.4.1.3 Ground investigations
11.5 Mitigation and remediation
11.6 Summary
References
Chapter 12 Subsidence – chalk mining, Clive N. Edmonds
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Geographical occurrence
12.3 Characteristics of the mine workings
12.3.1 Flint mine workings
12.3.1.1 Neolithic flint mines
12.3.1.2 Modern flint mines
12.3.1.3 Chalk mine workings
12.3.1.4 Bellpits
12.3.1.5 Deneholes
12.3.1.6 Chalkwells
12.3.1.7 Chalkangles
12.3.1.8 Pillar-and-stall mines
12.4 Engineering management strategy
References
Appendix: Further Reading
Websites
Chapter 13 Hazards associated with mining and mineral exploitation in Cornwall and Devon, SW England, B. Gamble, M. Anderson, J. S. Griffiths
13.1 Introduction
13.2 The geological model and the setting for mining-related hazards
13.2.1 Geological overview
13.2.2 Paleozoic rocks of the Variscan (Rhenohercynian) basement
13.2.2.1 Upper Paleozoic rift basins of the Rhenohercynian passive margin
13.2.2.2 Upper Paleozoic mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Lizard Complex
13.2.2.3 Upper Paleozoic allochthons
13.2.2.4 Lower Paleozoic (pre-rift) basement
13.2.3 Regional structure
13.2.4 Post-Variscan cover, magmatism, mineralization and alteration
13.2.5 Superficial deposits
13.3 History of mining
13.4 Environmental legacy of mining
13.4.1 Underground voids and shafts
13.4.2 Opencast mines
13.4.3 Waste tips and contaminated land
13.4.4 Infilled or silted-up estuaries
13.4.5 Slurry lakes or tailings ponds
13.4.6 Pollution by contaminated mine water
13.4.7 Flooding
13.5 Investigating and assessing the hazards
13.5.1 Desk studies
13.5.2 Remote sensing
13.5.3 Geophysics
13.5.4 Field mapping
13.5.5 Ground investigations
13.5.6 Developing the ground model
13.5.7 Hazard and risk assessment
13.5.8 Monitoring
13.6 Planning, preservation, treatment and remediation
13.6.1 International and local planning
13.6.2 Preservation
13.6.3 Treatment and remediation through engineering works
13.6.4 Derelict land reclamation
13.6.5 Mine water contamination and remediation
13.6.6 Case studies of mine site treatment and remediation
13.6.6.1 Wheal Peevor, Redruth, Cornwall. Kerrier District Council (2003–7)
13.6.6.2 The National Trust
13.7 Conclusions
References
Chapter 14 Geological hazards from salt mining, brine extraction and natural salt dissolution in the UK, Anthony H. Cooper
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Distribution of salt deposits in the Triassic and Permian rocks of the UK
14.3 Salt karst and natural dissolution
14.4 Mining and dissolution mining of salt
14.4.1 Natural ‘wild’ brine extraction
14.4.2 Shallow salt mining and ‘bastard’ brining
14.4.3 Modern salt mining
14.5 Mining of Permian salt deposits
14.5.1 Teesside
14.6 Mining of the Triassic salt deposits
14.6.1 Cheshire
14.6.2 Blackpool and Preesall
14.6.3 Stafford
14.6.4 Droitwich
14.6.5 Northern Ireland
14.7 Mitigating salt subsidence problems
14.7.1 Brine Subsidence Compensation Board
14.7.2 Salt mine stabilization
14.7.3 Monitoring and investigation
14.7.4 Planning for soluble rock geohazards
References
Chapter 15 Dissolution – carbonates, Clive N. Edmonds
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Geographical occurrence
15.3 Characteristics of natural cavities formed by dissolution
15.4 Engineering management strategy
References
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 16 Geohazards caused by gypsum and anhydrite in the UK: including dissolution, subsidence, sinkholes and heave, Anthony H. Cooper
16.1 Introduction
16.2 The gypsum–anhydrite transition, expansion and heave
16.3 The gypsum dissolution problem
16.4 Geology of the gypsiferous rocks
16.4.1 Triassic
16.4.2 Permian
16.5 Subsidence caused by gypsum dissolution
16.5.1 Subsidence geohazards around Ripon
16.5.2 Subsidence geohazards around Darlington
16.5.3 Subsidence geohazards between Ripon and Doncaster
16.5.4 Subsidence geohazards in the Vale of Eden
16.5.5 Subsidence over Triassic gypsum
16.6 Ground investigation: surveying, geophysics and boreholes in gypsum areas
16.7 Gypsum dissolution as a hazard to civil engineering
16.8 Problems related to water abstraction and injection in gypsum areas
16.9 Planning for subsidence
Conclusions
References
Chapter 17 Mining-induced fault reactivation in the UK, Laurance Donnelly
17.1 Background
17.2 Occurrence
17.3 Diagnostic characteristics
17.4 Mitigation
References
Chapter 18 Radon gas hazard, J. D. Appleton, D. G. Jones, J. C. H. Miles, C. Scivyer
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Other natural sources of radiation
18.2.1 Gamma rays from the ground and buildings (terrestrial gamma rays)
18.2.2 Cosmic rays
18.3 Health effects of radiation and radon
18.4 Radon release and migration
18.5 Factors affecting radon in buildings
18.6 Geological associations
18.6.1 Granites
18.6.2 Black shales
18.6.3 Phosphatic rocks and ironstones
18.6.4 Limestones and associated shales and cherts
18.6.5 Sands and sandstones
18.6.6 Ordovician–Silurian greywackes and associated rocks
18.6.7 Miscellaneous bedrock units
18.6.8 Superficial deposits
18.7 Measurement of radon
18.7.1 Radon testing in the home
18.7.2 Measurement of radon in soil-gas and solid materials
18.8 Radon hazard mapping and site investigation
18.8.1 Radon hazard mapping based on geology and indoor radon measurements
18.8.2 Radon hazard mapping based on geology, gamma spectrometry and soil-gas radon data
18.8.3 Radon site investigation methods
18.9 Strategies for management: avoidance, prevention and mitigation
18.9.1 Introduction
18.9.2 Environmental health regulations
18.9.3 Radon and the building regulations: protecting new buildings
18.9.4 Radon and workplaces
18.9.5 Radon and the planning system
18.9.6 Remedial measures
Scenarios for future events
References
Chapter 19 Methane gas hazard, Steve Wilson, Sarah Mortimer
19.1 The source and chemical properties of methane
19.2 Guidance and best practice
19.2.1 Legislative background
19.3 Developing the conceptual site model
19.3.1 Sources of methane
19.3.2 Pathways for migration
19.3.3 Potential receptors to methane
19.4 Examples of methane impacts
19.5 Managing risk
19.5.1 Site investigation for methane
19.5.2 UK contamination practices
19.5.3 The planning process
19.5.4 The definition of contaminated land
19.6 The risk assessment process
19.6.1 Qualitative risk assessment
19.6.2 Semi-quantitative risk assessment
19.6.3 NHBC Traffic Lights
19.6.4 British Standard BS8485: 2015
19.6.5 Quantitative risk assessment
19.6.6 Acute situation
19.7 Mitigating methane risks
19.8 Summary and conclusions
References
Index