Mapping Sinkholes in Mitchell Plateau of Southern Indiana Using LIDAR

Sinkholes are surface depressions caused by the lowering of the earth surface by dissolution of subsurface materials or by collapse of the surface into a void left behind by the removal of subsurface layers. Sinkholes can cause serious damage to properties and infrastructure, and sometimes human casualties occur in severe cases. In the United States, the cost incurred due to damages caused by sinkholes has been estimated to be over $300 million per year and the actual damage is likely to be much greater than this. Indiana is one of the many states in the country underlain by large areas of karst hence, has many known sinkholes. This research demonstrates the use of LIDAR technology in identifying sinkholes using the localized contour tree method.