In mining and post-mining areas, the assessment of the risks to the surface and its infrastructure from the opening or closed mine is of the utmost importance; particular attention should be paid to mine shafts. The risks include the occurrence of undetected voids or loosening zones in the rock mass. Their detection makes it possible to prevent their impact on a mine shaft and surface infrastructure. Geophysical methods, and in particular, a microgravity method lend themselves for the detection of changes in the distribution of masses (i.e., the density) due to voids and loosening zones. The paper presents the results of surface microgravity surveys in the vicinity of three mine shafts: under construction, working, and a liquidated one. Based on the gravity anomalies, the density distribution of the rock mass for all three cases was recognized. The properties of the anomalies allowed to determine which of the identified decreased density zones may pose a threat to the surface infrastructure or a mine shaft. The microgravity survey made inside the working mining shaft provided information on the density of rocks outside the shaft lining, regardless of the type of lining. No significant decrease of density was found, which means that there are no larger voids outside the shaft lining. Nevertheless, at a depth of 42 m in running sands layer, the decreasing density zone was located, which should be controlled. Additionally, measurements in two vertical profiles gave the possibility of directional tracking of density changes outside shaft lining. Such changes were observed on three boundaries of geological layers, with two of them being on the boundary of gypsum and other rocks.

The Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) is located in the suture zone between the Central and Outer (Flysch) Carpathians. Its structure is an effect of prolonged processes of the Cretaceous–Miocene folding, thrusting and uplifting. In this zone, tectonic components of different ages and features, including strike-slip-bounded tectonic blocks, thrust units, as well as toe-thrusts and olistostromes, result in the present-day mélange characteristics of the PKB, where individual tectonic units are difficult to distinguish. In the PKB, both tectonic and sedimentary events triggered the mélange creation. The name “Klippen Belt” is derived from cliffs (German Klippen). These cliffs form harder, more erosion-resistant elements of the mélange, residing within less competent clastic deposits, sandstones, shales and marls that form flysch complexes. The cliffs often represent olistoliths, which glided down from elevated areas to the deeper basinal zones. Two olistostrome belts were distinguished. The older one resulted from subduction of the southern part of the Alpine Tethys, and the younger originated in response to the northward shift of the accretionary wedge. The other cliffs were placed within the surrounding clastic by tectonic deformational processes. The flower structure of the PKB was formed during the collision and strike-slip movement of the lithospheric plates. This structure is limited on both sides by deep-rooted faults. Several evolutionary stages could be distinguished in these areas. The rift-related stage is expressed by the opening of the Alpine Tethys that contains two major basins—Magura and Pieniny (Złatne) basins, separated by Czorsztyn Ridge. The reorganization of the Alpine Tethys basins and the development of the accretionary prism happened during the synorogenic stage. This process was initiated by the movement of the Central Carpathians. Thick flysch sequences with olistostromes were deposited in these basins. The Czorsztyn Ridge was destroyed during the late orogenic stages.

Gravity (microgravity) research is more frequently carried out in urban areas, in close proximity to various types of buildings. It is necessary to take into account the gravity impact of these buildings on the measurements by calculating and factoring in the appropriate correction. The easiest method to calculate the corrections is to base them on simplified models of the buildings, approximated mostly by a rectangular prism. This paper presents an analysis of correction based on simplified models of six different buildings. It has been clearly demonstrated that density of a simplified model of a building or an element of the building is different from the average density, especially for gravity measurements inside the buildings. The research demonstrates that it is better to approximate the building with two or three rectangular prisms than with only one treated as a whole. However, the difficulty lies in determining the density of the lowest storey, the value of which diverges from the average density the most. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that in calculating building corrections simplified models of the buildings can be used, even for observation stations that are located in a close proximity to the buildings, as long as the conditions described in this article are met.

Geophysical surveys are often used for examination of karst phenomena in limestone. This paper presents the research on gypsum karst which occurrence is much rarer. Non-invasive terrain surveys were carried out over known karst cavity in order to visualize karst phenomena developed around the void. Two geophysical methods that seems to be predestined for karst examination were selected, i.e. microgravimetry and georadar. For the interpretation of measured data numerical modelling was applied. Geophysical interpenetration depicted the presence of weathered material in the near surface zone and fractures and loose zones located over the karst cavity.