Guangxi Land Subsidence Monitoring Network Construction Project

Project Background

Karst landforms are widespread in Guangxi, and karst ground subsidence is one of the region’s four major types of geological hazards, posing a long-term threat to the safety of urban areas, railways, bridges, and residential neighborhoods. To comprehensively enhance the monitoring and early‑warning capabilities for karst subsidence hazards, the Natural Resources Department of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has launched… 2024 Guangxi Land Subsidence Monitoring Network Construction Project — This marks Guangxi’s first large-scale ground subsidence (karst collapse) monitoring project, funded by additional government bonds. It aims to establish a karst collapse geological hazard monitoring and early-warning network covering key areas, thereby effectively addressing existing gaps in monitoring and early warning capabilities.

The project’s work area encompasses 23 monitoring zones across six prefecture-level cities—Guilin, Liuzhou, Yulin, Laibin, Hezhou, and Guigang—primarily located in urban and peri‑urban areas. In Guangxi, a total of 23 monitoring units have been established across 10 counties (districts) in the six prefecture-level cities, with individual units covering up to 2 square kilometers. To date, the project has completed drilling operations at 175 monitoring boreholes.

Monitoring equipment

In August 2024, Guilin Spepc Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., relying on its independently developed Integrated Monitoring Equipment for Karst Collapse and Intelligent Early Warning Platform , provided the following core equipment for this project:

• Karst Pipeline Fracture System Water–Gas Pressure Sensor (SDSY-G01) : 170 units, installed within monitoring boreholes, continuously collect real-time data on water‑air pressure variations in the karst conduit–fracture system, accurately detecting precursory indicators of karst collapse.

• Water Level Monitor (SDSY-G01) : 58 sets, providing real-time monitoring of groundwater level dynamics, analyzing the relationship between abrupt water-level changes and ground subsidence, and identifying the key hydrological factors that trigger subsidence.

• Deep Displacement Device (SDSW-G01) : 52 sets of instruments are installed at various depths within monitoring boreholes to continuously collect layered displacement and settlement data, capturing vertical displacement changes in the subsurface soil layers and elucidating the spatiotemporal patterns of collapse development.

• Automatic Rainfall Gauge (SDYL-G01) : Seven sets of instruments monitor rainfall intensity and cumulative precipitation in the study area, analyze the triggering effects of rainfall on karst collapses, and provide environmental parameters for the early-warning model.

• Monitoring Data Platform Software System : One set, integrating functions such as data reception, storage, analysis, and early‑warning dissemination, enabling visualized presentation of multi‑source monitoring data and tiered warning issuance, and supporting seamless integration with the Guangxi Ground Subsidence Monitoring and Early‑Warning Platform.

All devices feature low power consumption and a high protection rating (IP68), enabling them to operate reliably in challenging outdoor conditions. They support 4G wireless transmission and remote operation and maintenance, ensuring the long-term stability of the monitoring network.

Implementation Effectiveness

In September 2024, all equipment provided by Spepc Technology was successfully integrated into the Guangxi Ground Subsidence Monitoring and Early Warning Platform. The platform collects real-time data on water–gas pressure, groundwater levels, deep-seated displacements, and rainfall at each monitoring borehole. When monitored values exceed preset thresholds, it automatically triggers tiered early warnings, providing scientific and reliable data support for the early identification and emergency response to karst collapse hazards.

At the end of 2024, the project successfully passed the expert acceptance review organized by the local natural resources bureaus. The completion of this project has effectively addressed the shortcomings in monitoring and early warning for areas in Guangxi severely affected by karst collapse hazards, providing robust technical support to ensure the safety of railways, bridges, municipal facilities, and residential areas, and fully demonstrating Spepc Technology’s capability in delivering integrated solutions for karst collapse monitoring.