LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Snyder, Mo

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Earth & Environmental Science

Earth & Environmental Sciences

The province of Nova Scotia is partially underlain by Carboniferous evaporites of the Windsor Group (e.g., anhydrate, gypsum, halite); these are weak, ductile rocks that are fundamental to local and regional geology including halokinesis. The Cumberland Basin, one of many sub-basins that define the larger Maritimes Basin, has significant amounts of Windsor Group evaporites near the surface. The tectonic history, including periods of transtension to transpression associated with movement across the Cobequid-Chedabucto fault system, has promoted planes of weakness and mobility within and adjacent to salt layers. In the more recent geologic past, karstic geomorphological features formed from the dissolution and erosion of weak evaporites near the surface that resulted in evident topographic depressions and surface collapse structures commonly known as sinkholes. Sinkhole formation has negatively impacted infrastructure across the Cumberland Basin, including adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway and on private residences. This study has created an automated sinkhole delineation method to accurately locate sinkholes in the Cumberland Basin using Provincial LiDAR data. A geospatial workflow, utilizing ArcGIS software and ‘ModelBuilder’, has been produced that can locate and predict sinkhole locations. This new model allows us to better decipher the complex geological history of Windsor Group evaporites in the Cumberland Basin and to further define high-risk geohazard zones across the region. This project will improve the resolution of the current Provincial Karst Risk Map and is a first step towards creating an encompassing sinkhole database across Nova Scotia. Ultimately, this project will result in an increased understanding of evaporite-related geohazards by informing the public and professionals of sinkhole formation risk.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3800