Geophysical surveys of a potentially extensive cave system, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, USA

[摘要] Between 2012 and 2015 National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) personnel conducted electrical resistivityand microgravity surveys over Manhole Cave, located on public land administered by the US Bureau of LandManagement (BLM) in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. Manhole Cave is a relatively shallowpit cave, but it is thought by many cavers to be a second entrance to Lechuguilla Cave, the second deepest cave in thecontinental United States. Digging in Manhole Cave has been occurring sporadically for many years, following airflowthrough cemented breakdown. Results of resistivity surveys conducted over the cave show a high-resistivity anomalysouthwest of the cave entrance, consistent with microgravity survey results that show a negative gravity anomaly inthe same area. Combined geophysical results indicate that a substantial void is present in the subsurface a few tens ofmeters below ground level and extending to the south of the dig.

[学科分类] 地质学