Spotlight Completes Seismic Survey of Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is conducting a geotechnical investigation along the footprint of a new bridge crossing the Panama Canal, north of the Gatun Locks, known as the Atlantic Crossing. As part of the investigation, ACP requested that a geophysical survey be carried out along the proposed alignments to obtain the seismic P-wave and S-wave velocity structure of the subsurface. These data will be used to assess the engineering properties of geologic units to depths of 30 meters. Spotlight teamed with ATI Panamericana, S.A., GeoView Inc., and Rodio-Swissboring Panama, S.A., to provide a comprehensive seismic investigation of the proposed alignments. Over 4 km of seismic refraction and MASW data were acquired through extremely rugged jungle in the midst of Panama's rainy season. An additional 1.5 km of marine seismic refraction were acquired within the Canal itself.