Abstract We used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to identify a variety of karstic features in the archaeo-paleontological sites of the Sierra the Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). The aim of this study was to discover the structure of the caves exposed in the 19th century by a railroad trench, specifically their bottom part, which remains covered under the railroad current surface. For this purpose, three GPR grids were made in the Trinchera area, next to the sites of the Sima del Elefante, the Galeria Complex and the Gran Dolina. The analysis of both the radar wave signatures and the radar amplitude reflections, together with the existing data on the caves, allowed for the definition of the location and geometry of different karstic features, including air-filled caves, sediment-filled caves and bedrock structures. Two mechanical boreholes drilled next to the sites also added the information on the stratigraphy of the bottom part of the caves and helped with the interpretations of the GPR survey. We could distinguish between the intact geological features and the areas that were altered by the railroad construction and the later quarrying activity.

中文翻译：

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使用探地雷达解释喀斯特特征：西班牙阿塔普尔卡山脉的案例研究

摘要 我们使用探地雷达 (GPR) 来识别阿塔普尔卡山脉（西班牙布尔戈斯）的考古古生物遗址中的各种岩溶特征。这项研究的目的是发现 19 世纪铁路沟渠暴露的洞穴结构，特别是它们的底部，它仍然被铁路水流表面覆盖。为此，在 Sima del Elefante、Galeria Complex 和 Gran Dolina 遗址旁边的 Trinchera 地区制作了三个 GPR 网格。对雷达波特征和雷达振幅反射的分析，连同洞穴的现有数据，可以定义不同岩溶特征的位置和几何形状，包括充满空气的洞穴、充满沉积物的洞穴和基岩结构. 在遗址旁边钻出的两个机械钻孔还增加了洞穴底部地层信息，并有助于解释 GPR 调查。我们可以区分完整的地质特征和因铁路建设和后来的采石活动而改变的区域。