Application of 2-D geoelectrical resistivity tomography for subsurface cavity detection in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia

The presence of natural voids and cavities in subsurface karstic limestones causes severe problem for civil engineering and environmental management. The presence of such features hinders the extension of urbanizations particularly in the new metropolitan. The eastern part of Saudi Arabia contains various types of karstic limestone, sinkholes, solution cavities and voids. In this context, geophysical methods particularly electrical resistivity technique is used as a cost-effective solution for investigating subsurface caves, voids, and shallow weathered zones. 2-D electrical resistivity data sets have been acquired along seven profiles in the new urbanization at Al Hassa area. Data processing has been carried out taking into consideration the response of synthetic models, which simulates physical models of the most common karstic features in the area. The results are very useful to determine the extension of shallow weathered zones and to locate different cavities underneath them. The hard limestone bedrock can also be detected and traced along the surveyed profiles.