Vietnam Transportation Authorities Tests Georadiation Method

Vietnam Transportation Authorities Tests Georadiation Method

Vietnam’s transportation authorities, particularly in Ho Chi Minh, will test the reliability of the Georadiation method developed by a Vietnamese scientist to detect street sinkholes in the country’s streets. The move to consider the study the new method was taken after the device made by Vu Van Bang, deputy chief of the Institute of Water and Environment Technology, was presented at the conference held by the Department of Science and Technology in cooperation with the Department of Construction and the Department of Transport.

With its considerably small size, the device is capable of detecting places that are at risk of developing sinkholes at an estimated time frame while at the same time, measuring the possible dimensions of the hole.

Sinkholes are a natural, common geologic feature. Though many different factors contribute to its development, the initial erosion is caused by frequent exposure to water – whether rainwater or unseen water. However, the lack of water itself could lead to the formation of this geologic cavity.
Minimal sinkholes may not result to grave danger, though, depending on its size, oftentimes cause a great deal of inconvenience to the public. It's the sudden or deceptively large appearance that makes sinkholes dangerous, both to human safety and to buildings and infrastructure. But sinkholes that appear suddenly are hazardous and can be a total menace. Many may have heard the news in the past about tragic deaths from different parts of the world that are very prone to developing skinholes.
It is these kinds of sinkholes that are voracious in their appetite to swallow homes and cars, and can be toxic in their ability to contaminate groundwater supplies by sucking up debris or sewage. Such, could have been prevented by careful planning by the city planner, engineer and those involved in its construction. Once formed, these geologic cavities can be expensive to repair.
Oftentimes, it doesn’t need an expert to confirm that a sinkhole is developing. It can be obvious from the gaping hole in the ground. However, there are instance that sinkholes are difficult to detect especially if they're still covered with a thin overburden that has yet to collapse into the void below. Property damage, especially around the foundation, may be a subtle sign that something is wrong. In addition, if vegetation is dying unexpectedly, a sinkhole may have disrupted underlying streams that usually feed the plants. 
As many as 57 sinkholes were recorded between July 15 and December 6 in the southern metro, mostly are blamed on shoddy workers by contractors in covering or repaving streets after completing construction works. After the said conference, several scientists tested the device at some local roundabouts and intersections where they found one place at risk of developing a 1.3-1.5 meter deep sinkhole. If the Georadiation method is proven to be an effective approach, sudden occurrences of hazardous sinkholes may be properly prevented.