Early stage sinkhole formation in the Acque Albule basin of central Italy from geophysical and geochemical observations

• We discovered a developing sinkhole in the Acque Albule Basin (Italy).
• The study uses different integrated geophysical and geochemical methodologies.
• The sinkhole appears to be structurally controlled by local and regional faulting.
• The outcomes are useful to assess the hazard it presents in a urbanized area.

Sinkhole occurrence along the Tyrrhenian margin of the Central Apennines is of great importance for applied research, land management and civil protection. This study reports on GPS-altimetry magnetic, gravity, geoelectric, seismic, and soil gas measurements of a rapidly developing sinkhole near the Guidonia military airport. The measurements revealed an elliptical 2-m depression elongated 220 m in the NNE–SSW direction with the minor axis of 110 m. In the spring of 2013, two vertical cavities formed in the eastern and northeastern flanks of the depression whose depths and shapes are rapidly evolving with the formation of widespread fracturing along the same side. The geophysical observations image the developing sinkhole to a depth of some 50 m, the presence of the Travertino lithotype around the depression (down to at least 40 m), and the lack of this lithotype below the lowered area. The sinkhole's evolution appears to be structurally controlled by local and regional faulting. These results are useful for designing further geophysical, geotechnical and geochemical studies to monitor the sinkhole's evolution and to assess the hazard it presents in densely urbanized area.