Sebastian Kowalczyk

University of Warsaw | UW · Faculty of Geology

Purpose: The problem of landslide formation has been growing in recent years, especially in cases where human influence is essential. Increasing urbanization and commercialization of mountain areas, along with ongoing climate change, are intensifying the activity of previously stable, or slowly sliding slopes. One area especially susceptible to suc...

Landslides are a growing threat in mountainous areas. The current observable state of the climate, with intensification of rainfall instead of snowfall, and increasing urbanization are expanding areas prone to soil slide. In the presented case, in Cisiec (Southern Poland), anthropogenic and natural factors cause the formation and evolution of a lan...

Landslides represent one of the greatest challenges of modern earth sciences. Vulnerable to external as well as anthropogenic factors, these phenomena require extensive research and monitoring of zones at risk of their occurrence. In this work we present an integrated approach to such phenomena, using the example of a landslide in the Outer Carpath...

Solution pipes are an important geomorphological feature in carbonate rocks formed by the host rock’s dissolution due to water’s focused flow, indicating the phenomena of water focusing in particular areas. However, their visual exposures are often limited by sediment and vegetation cover, making it challenging to understand their spatial distribut...

The problem of landslides is one of the greatest challenges in geohazard research. Due to their unpredictability, and complicated genesis, their detailed and accurate observation is necessary. Despite many studies on the subject, a general scheme for their recognition has still not been developed. An additional, and important fact that has recently...

Landslides, as one of the main problems in mountainous areas, are a challenging issue for modern geophysics. The triggers that cause these phenomena are diverse (including geological, geomorphological, and hydrological conditions, climatic factors, and earthquakes) and can occur in conjunction with each other. Human activity is also relevant, undou...

The presented studies focus on changes in groundwater levels and chemistry, and the identification of important factors influencing these changes on short-and long-term scales in urban areas. The results may be useful for rational and sustainable groundwater planning and management in cities. The studies concerned three aquifers: (1) the shallow Qu...

In recent years, rapid climatic changes and their impact is widely visible and recognizable around the world. One of the effects of global warming is reduced snow cover in high-mountain areas. Such a situation leads to the case, where retaining snow cover suitable for the skiing activities is crucial. As a solution, heavy artificial snow with high...

Reliability of equilibrium state evaluation about settlement slopes in the context of natural and human-made hazards is a complex issue. The geological structure of the vicinity of the upland slope in the urban environment of Warsaw is characterised by a significant spatial diversification of the layers. This is especially due to the glacitectonics...

Badania geofizyczne dostarczają przestrzennych informacji o zmienności ośrodka gruntowo-skalnego. Wyniki zastosowania tych metod, także archiwalne, warto wykorzystywać w prowadzonych hydrogeologicznych pracach dokumentacyjnych. Takim przykładem są zrealizowane badania rozpoznawcze w miejscowości Łobodno w północno-zachodniej części Wyżyny Śląsko-Kr...

In the presented case study, the authors applied the multimethod approach utilising geophysical imaging with estimated uncertainty to the landslide in Cisiec, southwest Poland. Application of multiple geophysical methods such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), refraction seismic method, ray-ba...

We present the palaeorelief model and depositional environment of debris deposits in the western part of the Holy Cross Mountains (SE Poland). During the Middle Pleistocene the studied area was in a close contact with the front of the Scandinavian ice sheet. Ground penetrating radar surveys, interpretation of geological drillings, outcrops and petr...

The clear and detailed images of geological structures that can be obtained by seismic methods are one of the main drivers of their popularity in geological research. The quality of final geophysical images and models relies strongly on the amount of data that goes into them. Analysing several complementary seismic datasets allow an improved interp...

The presented paper shows a case study of Multimethod high-resolution geophysical imaging of landslide. The study area was located in the SW Poland Beskid Żywiecki Mountain range. The area is a clearance, where ski lift is located. To obtain high-resolution images, a proven combination of seismic (Surface Waves Analysis, Seismic travel-time Tomogra...

Nowadays seismic methods are commonly used in geological research because they give a clear image of the structure at various depths. The resolution of the seismic image depends on the amount of data. Therefore to maximize the use of recorded seismic data the combination of a few seismic methods is proposed. In this paper, an optimal combination of...

The Carpathian Orava Basin is a tectonic structure filled with Neogene and Quaternary deposits superimposed on the collision zone between the ALCAPA and European plates. Tectonic features of the southeastern margin of the Orava Basin and the adjoining part of the fore-arc Central Carpathian Palaeogene Basin were studied. Field observations of mesos...

GPR method is perfectly suited for recognizing of sedimentary facies diversity in shallowly occurring sediments if there is a contrast of electrical properties between and/or within each layer. The article deals with the issue of the correlation between GPR surveys results and sedimentological analyses. As a result of this correlation a conceptual...

W artykule przedstawiono rezultaty pomiarów georadarowych-GPR (ang. Ground Penetrating Radar) wykonanych na obszarach Natura 2000 w okolicy Warszawy. Badania zostały wykonane na dwóch obszarach badawczych: pierwszy był zlokalizowany na tarasie zalewowym rzeki Wisły natomiast drugi na tarasie nadzalewo-wym w obrębie torfowiska. Do badań georadarowyc...

A ground penetrating radar has been used to estimate the depth of groundwater table. The GPR measurements were conducted on esker deposits along the same profile and repeated five times during the year in autumn, spring, two times in summer and again in autumn. A shielded transmitting antenna with a nominal frequency of 250 MHz was used during...

Application of electrical resistivity imaging to ground recognition of the Warsaw Southern Ring-Road. Prz. Geol., 65: 772-778. A b s t r a c t. The article presents the usage of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) in ground recognition for linear constructions such as the Warsaw Southern Ring-Road. Measurements were performed in a gradient array,...

Urban geology-a case study of Warsaw agglomeration. Prz. Geol. 65: 883-889. A b s t r a c t. The article presents the attempt to systematize the problems of urban geology using the example of Warsaw agglomeration. The introduction discusses the available literature, both domestic and foreign. It was noted that many authors understand this concept i...

The article presents the usage of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) in ground recognition for linear constructions such as the Warsaw Southern Ring-Road. Measurements were performed in a gradient array, on five segments of the route, with previously researched geological conditions. Measurement method intended to probe the soil matrix on differe...

The article presents the attempt to systematize the problems of urban geology using the example of Warsaw agglomeration. The introduction discusses the available literature, both domestic and foreign. It was noted that many authors understand this concept in various ways, defining it differently. This is the result of diverse interests of researche...

STRESZCZENIE Stateczność zbocza i zagrożenie osuwiskowe w świetle kompleksowych badań geologicznych. W artykule przedstawiono studium przypadku oceny stateczności zbocza zlokalizowanego w południowej Polsce, w obszarze o skomplikowanej budowie geologicznej. Zaproponowano wieloetapową metodologię oceny stateczności zbocza. Zastosowane komplementarne...

The paper presents an application of the geoelectrical method in organic soils occurring in the area of a designed investment. Two techniques have been applied: electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and measurements with a resistivity cone penetration test (RCPT). ERI measurements made using Schlumberger and gradient arrays have allowed to obtain a...

Complex studies were carried out to recognize the fen structure and peat properties in the Całowanie Fen area, belonging to the Natura 2000 network. The studies were conducted in two study areas that differ significantly in terms of peat thickness. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) was used to identify the properties of the peat and its substrat...

The paper is aiming to determinate the extent of the northeastern arm of Kozłowicka buried valley on the grounds of own research by means of electrical resistivity tomography – ERT and available archival researches. On the Hydrogeological map of Poland, Żyrardów sheet (Felter and Nowicki, 1998a, b) Kozłowicka buried valley was differentiated as an...

Near surface geophysical methods, specifically electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and ground penetrating radar (GPR), were used to evaluate anthropogenic transformation in the Marki area, near Warsaw, Poland. Anthropogenic transformation in this region is indicated by the gradual filling of excavation voids in varved clays with various kinds of w...

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) investigations were conducted in order to characterize the reflection patterns and internal architecture of Vistula River point bars. The study area is situated in the south part of Warsaw (Central Poland), in the Nature Reserve Świderskie Islands, where fluvial deposits were well accessible due to an unusually low wa...

A newly recognized Mnin restraining stepover is identified in the Permo-Mesozoic cover of the western part of the Late Palaeozoic Holy Cross Mountains Fold Belt (Poland), within a fault pattern consisting of dextral strike slip faults. The formation of a large contractional structure at the Late Cretaceous – Cenozoic transition displays the signifi...

The paper deals with the propagation of shear horizontal (SH) waves in an nonhomogeneous elastic half-space composed of a layer whose shear modulus and mass density have a power dependence on the distance from the lower plane and the periodically stratified half-space. The equation which relates the wave speed to the wave-number and functions of th...

Appropriate assessment of spatial variation of soil and hydrogeological conditions is a crucial issue in recognizing foundation soil. The best methods to achieve this goal are those that supply continuous rather than scattered data on soil medium variation. Electrical resistivity was measured with the Resistivity Cone Penetration Test (RCPT) and El...

Obtaining the reliable values of filtration – consolidation parameters depends on appropriate programming of load velocity. In the paper a critical assessment of the criteria for selecting the load velocity with regard to theoretical model of consolidation under continuous load rate (CRL) was presented. A key element of interpretation is to disting...

The Dry Moat is one of the most impressive and at the same time puzzling architectonic structure preserved within the famous royal necropolis at Saqqara, Egypt. It is a rock-hewn ditch about 40 m wide and of variable depth, which surrounds the Step Pyramid complex built by Pharaoh Djoser from the Third Dynasty which was was the first monumental str...

This paper presents the preliminary results of ground penetrating radar sounding applied at the desert archaeological site in Saqqara (Egypt). The survey was carried out in 2012 within a project realized by Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw and the Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw. One of the key aims...

Electrical resistivity measurements provide potentially powerful tool for estimation of physical parameters of soils and materials used in earthworks and constructions like embankments and dams. The study demonstrates the correlation between the resistivity of non-cohesive soils and the degree of compaction, which is an indicator of important and p...

Geological and geotechnical engineering field tests, like structure drillings and dynamic (DPL, DPSH) or static probing (CPT), are considered to be the fundamental source of information about soil and water environments. Since Eurocode 7 has been introduced, it has become more common to also use dilatometers (DMT) or pressure meters (PMT). Results...

This paper presents the preliminary results of ground penetrat ing radar sounding applied at the desert archaeological site in Saqqara (Egypt). The survey was carried out in 2012 within a project realized by Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw and the Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw. One of the key aims...

In this paper there are presented application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography method (ERT) for the evaluation of slope stability on the example of four pieces of Warsaw slope. The survey was conducted on Bielany at Farysa street, downtown close to Academic Church St. Anne, on Ursynów at Kiedacza Street and at Kokosowa Street. Selected pieces o...

The study area is situated in Nowodwór-Piaski village (near Lubartów city) about 170 kilometers south-east from Warsaw (Central Poland), where Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys and outcrop investigations were conducted during an extensive open-pit mining of the Paleogene quartz-glauconite sands. The study was based on 29 GPR profiles and 12 se...

GPR studies were carried out in the Całowanie Fen, a large peatland in the Masovia region (Central Poland) for the identification of the peatland stratigraphy and to create a three-dimensional model for the central and eastern part of the fen. The Całowanie Fen is located within the Masovian Landscape Park on the overflood terrace in the Middle Vis...

Geophysical methods used as a complementary survey in the investigation of substrate allow for a qualitative assessment of the lateral variability of ground conditions in the near surface zone. They can also permit evaluation of the vertical variation of ground conditions. Such information is particularly important in monitoring the substratum of h...

ONLY CONFERENCE ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE! (below) - NO FULL PAPER. Metoda georadarowa (GPR - Ground Penetrating Radar) dostarcza wysokorozdzielcze i ciagłe profile georadarowe, co pozwala na uzyskanie nowych informacji o budowie wewnetrznej i wykształceniu facjalnym form depozycyjnych i osadów je budujacych. Pomiary georadarowe pozwalaja na bezinwazyj...

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys and sedimentological outcrop analyses were combined in order to determine the reflection patterns and internal architecture of terrace deposits of the Vistula River at Kępa Zawadowska in the southern part of Warsaw (central Poland). The sedimentary analyses concerned the granulometric composition and lithofaci...

The study uses quantitative methods to analyse the latest Bartonian to Early Rupelian sedimentary succession at the SE outskirts of the Polish Lowland Paleogene Basin, in the back-bulge zone of the Carpathian orogenorebulge. The vertical lithotype proportion diagrams from a large number of well logs are compiled to reveal the area’s sequence strati...

In this paper there are presented application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography method (ERT) for the evaluation of slope stability on the example of four pieces of Warsaw slope. The survey was conducted on Bielany at Farysa street, downtown close to Academic Church St. Anne, on Ursynów at Kiedacza Street and at Kokosowa Street. Selected pieces o...

Geophysical investigations in West Saqqara area were part of the archaeological fieldwork of the Polish–Egyptian Archaeological Mission during the campaign in 2012. The main purpose of geophysical prospection using the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was to determine the location of potential underground sepulchral structures in Saqqara necropolis....

ONLY CONFERENCE ABSTRACT IS AVAILABLE! (below) - NO FULL PAPER. Rozpoznanie budowy osadów w przypowierzchniowej części ziemi często napotyka na trudności. Wynika to z niewystarczającej ilości zebranych danych np. w wyniku punktowych wierceń, wkopów czy niewielkich rozmiarów odkrywek. Metoda georadarowa (eng. GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar) dostarcz...

The question of pore pressure distribution during consolidation tests at constant rate of loading (CRL) was presented in the paper. The tests were carried out on soil paste of glacial tills of Wisla glacial period obtained from the area of Susz in Pojezierze Iławskie. The disturbed (homogenous) soil paste of natural particle size distribution was p...

The paper focuses on selected geophysical methods, which may be applied for the evaluation of the technical conditions of flood banks. The paper presents and discusses results of geophysical tests (refractive seismic, geo-radar, vertical electrical sounding and electrical resistivity tomography) obtained from the Kobylnica research test site, i.e....

A Ground-penetrating Radar has been used to map a 100 m2 area suspected to be above a network of galleries remaining from flint prospection during the neolithic period. Twenty profiles have been acquired. Their interpretation, gives evidence for banded flint layers dipping to the North, and underground remaining galleries.

The study area is situated near Kozlow village, about 70 km south-east from Warsaw (Central Poland), where relatively young unconsolidated fluvioglacial sediments are mined. The excavated sandy-gravel body is built up by architectural elements typical for esker deposits. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys and sedimentological outcrop analyses a...

A Ground-penetrating Radar has been used to map a 100 m2 area suspected to be above a network of galleries remaining from flint prospection during the neolithic period. Twenty profiles have been acquired. Their interpretation, gives evidence for banded flint layers dipping to the North, and underground remaining galleries.

The paper presents problems of proper engineering-geological investigation of highway subsoil. Estimation of organic soil occurrence, comparison of soil classification in Polish standards and Eurocode, evaluation of stress state for conditions of alternative designs are considered. Study of analyses case indicates that wider list of parameter must...

In this paper there deals with the registration problem of the physical properties of organic soils by using chosen geophysical methods. Three geophysical methods were applied to the realization of the problem: ground penetrating radar, vertical electrical sounding and seismic refraction. Investigations were executed on two testing grounds (Żuków a...

Abstrakt. W pracy podjęto problem wyznaczenia miąższości zwietrzeliny laterytowej oraz oceny warunków hydrogeologicznych na potrzeby rozwoju infrastruktury związanej z rozbudową Sanktuarium Maryjnego w Kibeho (Rwanda). Jest to pierwsze opracowanie tego typu dla obszaru Kibeho. Celem prac było określenie głębokości zalegania podłoża skalnego pod kąt...

The paper presents problems of proper engineering-geological investigation of the highway subsoil. The estimation of organic soil occurrence, comparison of soil classification in Polish standards and Eurocode, evaluation of stress state for alternative design solutions are considered. The study on analysed case has indicated that the longer list of...

The paper presents the application of consolidation tests for coefficient permeability evaluation in cohesive soils . The insulating property of Neogene green clays from overburden of “Bełchatów” lignite mine are subject to study. These soils are potentially fine material to construct barriers for insulating of contaminations The results of paste s...

The paper presents analysis of factors influencing intensity of surface waves recorded in urban areas and methodology worked out for their measurement. Several examples of records of surface waves induced by different sources of vibrations are presented. The results of measurements show omnipresence of such waves. The wave record was executed using...

The article presents the results of consolidation tests of Neogene green clays from the geological profile of the Bełchatów lignite mine (Central Poland). Reliable characteristics of the consolidation parameters are essential for forecasting settlements and for assessment of their insulation features. The reliability criteria of the test results fo...

Kowalczyk S. Variability of permeability coefficient values of green clays from Bełchatów in one-dimensional consolidation testing. Geologija The article discusses the values of the permeability coefficient obtained in the consolidometric tests with continuous loading (CL) on samples of green clay from the Bełchatów lignite mine. A wide range of di...

The article presents and discusses the reasons for variability of consolidation obtained in consolidometric tests with continuous loading on samples of green clay from “Belchatow” mine. The obtained values of the filtration coefficient in CL tests are closely related to the consolidation coefficient and they have a wide range of variability. Correc...

Iły beidellitowe z KWB „Bełchatów” stanowią obiecujący materiał dla formowania gruntowych barier izolacyjnych. Charakteryzują się znaczną zmiennością wykształcenia i wymagają sprawdzenia ich parametrów filtracyjnych. Współczynnik filtracji takich gruntów słabo przepuszczalnych można efektywnie określać na podstawie badań konsolidacji prowadzonych...

Beidellite clay from brown coal mine "Belchaów" is a potential material for use in insulation geo-barriers. The characteristic feature of this type of soils is its significant variability, which requires testing of permeability parameters before application as an insulation geo-layer. Coefficient of permeability of cohesive soils can be effective d...

The pore pressure variations that were obtained during CL consolidation tests are discussed in this paper The comparative analysis was made on the base of observed changes to confront information on experimental soil behavior with theoretical solutions of the primary (filtration) consolidation process. On the basis of obtained experimental data, th...