Joint application of geophysical methods and Direct Push-soil gas surveys for the improved delineation of buried fault zones

Claudia Schütze, Thomas Vienken, Ulrike Werban, Peter Dietrich, Anthony Finizola, Carsten Leven

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study provides an example of fault structure delineation using both geophysical measurements and soil-gas surveys. Seismic refraction and electrical resistivity tomography investigations were performed in combination with Direct Push (DP) soil gas concentration measurements, with the main objective being the characterization of an assumed permeable fault structure which is covered by sediments that are over 20m thick. Geophysical methods were used to locate a potential fault zone and to provide an insight into the structural features of the covering sediments. Methods for quantifying the soil-gas concentration were applied to evaluate the permeability of the fault zone. The positioning of gas sampling points was based on results of a geophysical survey undertaken beforehand. Gas sampling was performed using DP-technology to obtain concentration profiles for the inert gas Radon-222 and its carrier gas CO 2 along the profile at different depths. Joint interpretation of the spatial distribution of geogenic gases and results from the geophysical survey allowed us to produce a representative model image of the fault structure consisting of two fault branches. Based on this image, it was possible to interpret the observed gas concentration patterns.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-136
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Applied Geophysics
Volume82
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Direct Push
  • Electrical resistivity tomography
  • Fault delineation
  • Radon
  • Seismic refraction

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