Ground penetrating radar (GPR) studies in the Agios Voukolos church, Izmir, Turkey

The Agios Voukolos church is one of the unique Orthodox constructions in Izmir. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) study was carried out to define the crypts, ossuaries and other subsurface structures under the church. Regular GPR investigations were performed by using a Ramac CU II instrument with 500 MHz center frequency shielded antennae. In addition, two small parts of the Katholikon were measured with 1000 MHz shielded antennas. Data acquired in continuous mode was processed by standard GPR processing steps. The results were given important information about deformation variations (floor cracking and the distortion of architectural elements) and subsurface relics (crypts, ossuaries etc.) inside the church.