Shear-Wave Velocity as an Indicator of Increased Stress and Failure Potential Associated with Dissolution-Mining Voids

The use of dissolution wells for mining salt has been common practice for over a century, leaving behind brine-filled “salt jugs” or voids in the subsurface which, over time, can migrate through overlying rock formations, potentially leading to sinkhole formation and public safety hazards. In an effort to determine the relative range of stress on the roof rock above these jugs at various stages of failure, evaluate the extent of void migration, and aid in remediation planning, shear-wave reflection surveys were conducted at a well field near Hutchinson, Kansas, where drill-confirmed dissolution features exist in the 125-m deep Hutchinson Salt Member.