We were recently contacted regarding a project in the Hortobágy National Park. Our work supported the preparation of a planned development project. Our task was to investigate sections of an embankment designated by the client for future stabilization and determine whether subsurface cavities or animal burrow systems might be present.
In the middle of a protected natural area, the conditions are certainly favorable for the development of such features. Animals such as the European ground squirrel and other burrowing species live here – and they are not particularly familiar with the principles of geotechnical design. They can create burrow systems several metres long and reaching depths of up to one metre. In addition, the site is located within a fishpond system, where water-induced erosion may further contribute to structural deterioration.
Based on the survey results, we delineated areas within the embankment where zones with structural characteristics differing from their surroundings, as well as potential cavities, were likely to occur. We successfully completed the assignment, mapping the area using a non-destructive geophysical method, while disturbing the local wildlife only during our presence on site and keeping this disturbance to the absolute minimum possible.
