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Geophysical approach to study the potential ocean wave-induced liquefaction: an example at Magoodhoo Island (Faafu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean)

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Abstract

This paper presents an application of geophysical techniques to determine the liquefaction potential of the surface sand layer under wave loading in an atoll island, Magoodhoo Island (Faafu Atoll). Measurements of background noise (H/V technique), seismic refraction profiles (tomography), surface wave inversion and electrical resistivity tomography were applied to study the properties of the substratum. Geotechnical analysis provided the relative soil density (Dr = 55%) and the grading curves; the comparison of these parameters with geophysical data, allowed to identify indicative features related to ground liquefaction phenomena. Microtremor measurements calculated a fundamental site resonance in the frequency range of 1.42–23.19 Hz. Velocity profiles showed that bedrock interface depth varies from approximately z = 35 m north-east of the island, to z = 25 m south-west, while in the most north-eastern external area, it was not detected. These results suggested a significant lateral variability of the site seismic response throughout the study area. Liquefaction triggering with wave heights varying between 2.0 and 3.0 m and 70–300 cycles was calculated. Also, considering an average wave period of 6 s, liquefaction was more likely after 7–30 min. The soil vulnerability index Kg was also used to evaluate the soil liquefaction hazard suggesting that the north-eastern island sector is more susceptible to liquefaction, confirmed also by the building damage status as compared to other areas of the island. The results obtained in the survey highlight that in an atoll island, where potential disasters can be caused by several natural causes, saturated loose sands lose their strength and stiffness if subjected to wave loading.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the technicians Mr. Michele Iavarone and Mr. Paolo Scotto di Vettimo for their support and availability; Mrs. Patricia Sclafani for her careful and thorough language editing. The authors extend their thanks to Lucio Amato (TecnoIn S.p.A.) for providing the geotechnical analysis. The authors also wish to thank Faafu Magoodhoo Island Council for the logistical support provided. For the acquisition of the data used in this article, instruments of the PON I-AMICA project were used. The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their valuable comments and remarks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Calata Porta di Massa, Interno Porto di Napoli, 80133, Naples, Italy

    Vincenzo Di Fiore, Michele Punzo, Giuseppe Cavuoto, Nicola Pelosi & Daniela Tarallo

  2. Istituto di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale (ISPC), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Cardinale Guglielmo Sanfelice 8, 80134, Naples, NA, Italy

    Vincenzo Di Fiore, Michele Punzo, Giuseppe Cavuoto, Nicola Pelosi & Daniela Tarallo

  3. Istituto per lo Studio degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in Ambiente Marino (IAS), Italian National Research Council (CNR), via del Mare n. 3, 91021, Torretta Granitola, TP, Italy

    Salvatore Mazzola

  4. Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Paolo Galli

  5. MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, 20217, Maldives

    Paolo Galli

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  1. Vincenzo Di Fiore
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Di Fiore, V., Punzo, M., Cavuoto, G. et al. Geophysical approach to study the potential ocean wave-induced liquefaction: an example at Magoodhoo Island (Faafu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean). Mar Geophys Res 41, 9 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-020-09408-8

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