Subsidence and collapse at Texas Salt Domes

Book · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:7003802

Mullican, W F

This book provides a description of the mechanisms and extent of natural and man-induced subsidence and collapse at Texas salt domes. In the Houston diapir province, Frasch mining has caused subsidence bowls and collapse sinkholes at 12 of the 14 sulfur-productive domes. Understanding the structural and hydrologic instability that results at the surface and subsurface is crucial in evaluating the suitability of salt domes as repositories for waste disposal. Part of the Bureau's Coastal Salt Dome Program, this study used aerial photographs, remote-sensing methods, historical and modern topographic maps, and field checks to detect subsidence and collapse associated with natural salt diapiric processes and commercial resource recovery and to determine which processes are likely to reduce the stability and integrity of hydrologic and structural barriers around salt diapirs. Figures and tables illustrating the extent and evolution of subsidence and collapse, along with photographs showing their effects, highlight the text discussion of the salt domes detailed in this study-Boling, Orchard, Moss Bluff, Spindletop, Hoskins Mound, Fannett, Long Point, Nash, High Island, Bryan Mound, Clemens, and Gulf. The author concludes that Frasch sulfur mining from cap rocks causes the most catastrophic subsidence and collapse and that subsidence over salt domes includes processes ranging from trough subsidence to various types of subsurface caving. He concludes that salt domes characterized by subsidence and collapse are unfavorable sites for storage/disposal of hazardous wastes.

• OSTI ID: 7003802
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
HYDROLOGY
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
SALT DEPOSITS
TEXAS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES