Changes in Morphometric Parameters of Terrain Caused by Mining

Abstract

This chapter presents the impact of mining on the changes of morphometric features of the relief of 25 geomorphological units and 3 geological zones within the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, based on analysis of digital elevation models for 1883 and 1993. Large-scale changes in the absolute and relative heights and the inclinations of slopes are mainly related to mining subsidence, whereas small-scale changes are clearly a consequence of the formation of high spoil tips and deep excavations. In the entire mining zone, the areas of higher altitudes (>280 m above sea level) decreased, and the size of the areas located below 250 m above sea level increased. The average elevation of the terrain in most geomorphological units decreased—in extreme cases, up to 4.5 m. More than 77% of the study area is characterized by higher relative heights than in the pre-mining period. It was further noticed that the area of lowland decreased (by over 113 km2) in favour of slopes with an inclination of 1°–5°. These changes in the morphometric characteristics of the relief increase the potential for erosion and denudation in the area of the USCB.