Topsoil layer research

Peat

The presence of more than a few centimeters of peat in the soil can cause problems during building or cause subsidence of newly built houses later. When the presence of peat is mapped during the planning stage, it can be incorporated in the plans and taken into account when making the soil ready for construction.

 

Topsoil layer research

Acting upon instructions from the Municipality of Assen, Tauw BV has asked Medusa to map the subsoil of the future residential area Kloosterveen III. The 65 ha area has been mapped using GPR towed by a quad. During the analysis of the measurements the clear radar images and the sharp soil textural boundaries immediately became apparent. The soils in the area consist of sand with or without peat layers. These peat layers were mapped.

 

Pingo ruins

When plotting the GPR results on a map, it was strikingly clear that the peat that remains of a pingo ruin had been mapped. A pingo ruin is a remain of the last Ice Age and consists of an almost perfectly round shaped ´hole´ filled with peat. The location of the pingo ruin was given to Raap that conducts the archeological research in this area.