Non‐invasive detection and characterization of underground twentieth‐century military complexes

Pringle, Jamie; Doyle, Peter; Ruffell, Alastair; Styles, Peter; Stringfellow, Matt; Russill, Nick; Stimpson, Ian; Wisniewski, Kristopher; Barton, Nick; Rees‐Hughes, Luis; Carr, Sam; Hunter, Rob; Ainsworth, Joe; Kyriakou, Christos; Hobson, Luke

Abstract

Recent events in conflict zones have shown that the successful detection and characterization of buried military complexes is vitally important for geoforensic investigators globally, to reduce or solve criminal activities, address national security threats and avoid potential terrorist attacks. However, this can often prove difficult, particularly in urban areas. Generally, desktop studies assess pre‐existing information that then inform appropriate survey design and technique(s) selection. Survey results then produce accurate plans of subsurface targets, with numerical modelling and correction for above‐ground infrastructure provide confidence in interpretations. All investigations are of course unique, and require individual phased investigative approaches to improve detection rates of such important buried targets.

Citation

Pringle, J., Doyle, P., Ruffell, A., Styles, P., Stringfellow, M., Russill, N., Stimpson, I., Wisniewski, K., Barton, N., Rees‐Hughes, L., Carr, S., Hunter, R., Ainsworth, J., Kyriakou, C., & Hobson, L. (2025). Non‐invasive detection and characterization of underground twentieth‐century military complexes. Geology Today, 41(4), 160-165. https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12521

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jul 30, 2025
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 4, 2025
• Journal: Geology Today
• Print ISSN: 0266-6979
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2451
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 160-165
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gto.12521
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1362897
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gto.12521