Muon Tomography of Underground Fracture Zones
Abstract
A high resolution muography survey has been performed in the Kiralylaki tunnel in Budapest (Hun- ´
gary) to search for unknown cavities. Preliminary radiographic measurements suggested large density
anomalies above the tunnels in a 20–60 m thick cherty dolomite rock (2.5–2.7 g/cm3). A Bayesian inversion
method has been adapted to overcome the underdetermination originating from the limited-angle tomographic nature of muography. The angular resolution of the gaseous muon detectors enabled a spatial voxel resolution of 1-2 meters, and the 3D distribution of karstic fracture zones has been obtained. Multiple 5–
10 m long core drills validated the existence of low-density regions. The core samples showed convincing
agreement with the inversion, containing fractured rock (altered dolomite powder, below 1.8 g/cm3). This
work confirms the potential of mapping underground fracture zones using muography, which has potential applications in tunnel construction and maintenance, as well as for landslide studies, depending upon
feasible boundary conditions.
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