Application of Geophysical Prospecting Methods for Soil Structure Characterization of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Geophysical prospecting methods reveal that the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant colonial buildings in the Dominican Republic, is situated on soil classified as 'C'—very dense soil and soft rock—according to NEHRP standards. This classification, determined using Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) techniques, suggests that the site could experience moderate seismic risk during earthquakes greater than 5.0 Mw, common in Hispaniola due to its location between the North American and Caribbean plates. Georadar tests further confirmed the absence of unknown caverns beneath the cathedral's foundation, validating the seismic classification. The study underscores the importance of such methods for assessing the vulnerability of heritage structures in seismically active zones.

Pérez-Cuevas, J., Flores-Sasso, V., Prieto-Vicioso, E., Ruiz-Valero, L., & Sandoval, S. (2021). Application of Geophysical Prospecting Methods for Soil Structure Characterization of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 12th International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions. https://doi.org/10.23967/sahc.2021.030