Sinkholes and caves underground pose challenges for various industries in the karst area, particularly those dependent on stable ground conditions, such as construction, agriculture, and infrastructure development. In this study, we applied seismic reflection, a geophysical method, to delineate shallow subsurface complex geological structures and to better understand limestone cave formation.

Three seismic profiles were acquired in the Thinia valley, an isthmus connecting the main part of the island to the Paliki peninsula, to improve the subsurface knowledge of the tectonically peculiar Kefalonia island. Here the presence of a possible channel has been largely disputed to make Paliki the Homer’s Ithaca. Results from different analyses further constrain the recent tectonic history of the area and thus, the long-debated presence of an historic water channel in the valley.

Local seismic tomography yields the highest-resolution 3D Q_p model in CSES. Low Q_p anomalies along faults and basins indicate high medium fragmentation, thick sediments, or fluid richness. Tengchong volcano's westward dipping high attenuation suggests magma flow. Most M6+ earthquakes occur in low attenuation zones or anomaly boundaries. The 2008 Wenchuan M_S 8.0 and 2013 Lushan M_S 7.0 epicenters were separated by a low attenuation area, indicating future major earthquake risks.