Test will use military radar to search for sinkholes
Upcoming testing by scientists from one U.S. university will use military radar technology to search for sinkholes.
Later this month, The Associated Press reports researchers from Louisiana Tech University will use technology adapted from the military to look underneath the ground for evidence of sinkholes in the city of Slidell, Louisiana.
In the test, ground-penetrating radar will be used to search for voids underground, locating those as small as eight inches deep, according to the source. The eventual hope is that early detection will allow crews to fill sinkholes early and prevent further homeowners insurance claims or property damage.
"We've just got to look at the practical part," local water utilities director Joe Aillet told the AP. "Is it quick enough, is it convenient enough, is it dependable enough, is it fast enough, can we use it on a regular basis, is it something applicable on a daily basis or unwieldy or expensive where you can't use it every day?"
The issue hits very close to home for many Slidell residents. After it had already signed up to be part of the test program, the AP reports that a large sinkhole opened up underneath a major road in the city last fall.
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