Mine Subsidence Characterization and Susceptibility Mapping to Guide Risk Mitigation

Subsidence above abandoned coal mine workings presents hazards to people and animals. Open cracks, potholes and sinkholes around abandoned shallow mines are common. Records of subsidence related features can be assembled into spatial databases and multi-criteria analysis techniques utilized to develop susceptibility maps. In the assessment of mine subsidence risk, these maps can be used and updated to quantify the likelihood of hazard occurrence spatially. However, consideration of the probability of interaction with the hazard, as well as the vulnerability of those affected is needed to assess consequence and hence risk. A case study of mine subsidence hazard identification and development of a susceptibility map is used to demonstrate an appropriate procedure and highlight the necessity and challenges of incorporating human behavior and vulnerability into quantitative risk assessment with respect to loss-of-life and mobile elements at risk.

Keywords: Mine Subsidence, Susceptibility Mapping, Quantitative Risk