Creation of a training ground for the complex geological and geophysical study of fracturing within the south-western Crimea (Cape Fiolent, Heraclea Plateau)

Abstract

A complex of geological and geophysical work was carried out to study fracturing in the Jurassic-Neogene rocks of the Heraclea Plateau, which included a field study of the Georgievsky fault zone, structural and geomorphological analysis; the geophysical complex combined marine seismic and magnetometric studies in combination with ground-based studies using electrotomography, gravimetry and magnetometry. The main object of study was the zone of the deep Georgievsky fault and the feathering tectonic disturbances. As a result of complex studies, the main geological and geophysical criteria for the identification of dangerous fracturing sites have been established: the extremely heterogeneous structure of the upper part of the geoelectric section to depths of 30–40 m according to electrical survey data; seismic data indicate that Miocene limestones have extremely low strength properties in areas of increased fracturing; according to electrical survey data, the water content (humidity) of the upper part of the section changes sharply horizontally; in the karst areas at certain depths, there is a sharp variability in resistivity from the maximum values to the minimum; fracturing develops quite actively under the influence of landslide processes. Especially dangerous are the stretching cracks that occur in areas of positive relief of the base rocks, along which landslide bodies represented by limestones slide.