Application of Induced Polarization Survey in Active Fault Investigation

Samgyu Park

doi:10.7582/GGE.2025.28.3.117

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2025 Vol.28, Issue 3 Preview Page

Short Article

Application of Induced Polarization Survey in Active Fault Investigation 활성단층조사에서 유도분극탐사 활용

31 August 2025. pp. 117-122

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Abstract

This study aims to address the limitation of electrical resistivity surveys in distinguishing between weathered and altered zones and fault damage zones when investigating buried active faults. To overcome this, induced polarization (IP) surveys were conducted in parallel with resistivity measurements, and the effects of electrode type on chargeability response were analyzed. The study site is located in the Miho area of the southern Yangsan Fault, where a previously conducted trench investigation confirmed the presence of fault gouge. IP data were acquired using both stainless steel and non-polarizable electrodes as potential electrodes, and the resulting chargeability distributions were compared. Both methods revealed high chargeability responses in the fault gouge zone between 13 m and 20 m along the survey line. The use of non-polarizable electrodes resulted in broader and clearer high-chargeability zones, indicating superior signal fidelity. However, the stainless steel electrodes also yielded meaningful results in areas where strong polarization responses were present, offering the advantage of field efficiency. This study demonstrates that combining electrical resistivity and IP surveys enhances the reliability of fault zone interpretation and that chargeability distribution can serve as an effective supplementary tool for identifying buried active faults when used in conjunction with trench investigations.

Keywords

Active Fault

Induced Polarization

Electrical Resistivity

Chargeability

Fault Gouge

본 연구는 피복된 활성단층 조사에서 전기비저항 탐사만으로는 풍화 및 변질대와 단층 파쇄대를 명확히 구분하기 어려운 한계를 보완하기 위해 유도분극(IP, Induced Polarization) 탐사 기법을 병행하여 적용하고, 전극 종류에 따른 충전율 반응 특성을 비교 분석하였다. 연구 대상지는 남부 양산단층에 위치한 미호리 지역으로, 기존 트렌치 조사에서 단층비지가 확인된 구간을 중심으로 전기비저항 및 IP 탐사를 수행하였다. IP 탐사에서는 전위 전극으로 스테인리스 전극과 비분극 전극을 각각 사용하였으며, 두 방식으로 획득한 충전율 분포를 비교하였다. 그 결과, 측선 거리 13~20 m 구간의 단층비지 분포 영역에서 두 방식 모두 고충전율 반응이 나타났으며, 비분극 전극을 사용한 경우 충전율 분포가 보다 넓고 명확하게 나타났다. 반면, 스테인리스 전극을 사용할 경우에도 단층비지의 분극 반응이 강할 때는 유의미한 해석이 가능하였으며, 현장 작업의 효율성 측면에서 장점을 가질 수 있음을 확인하였다. 본 연구는 전기비저항 탐사와 IP 탐사를 병행하여 해석할 경우 단층 파쇄대의 해석 신뢰도를 향상시킬 수 있으며, 충전율 분포는 트렌치 조사와 연계하여 피복된 활성단층 탐지에 효과적인 보조 자료로 활용될 수 있음을 제시한다.

키워드

활성단층

유도분극탐사

전기비저항탐사

충전율

단층비지

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Information

Publisher :Korean Society of Earth and Exploration Geophysicists
Publisher(Ko) :한국지구물리물리탐사학회
Journal Title :Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
Journal Title(Ko) :지구물리와 물리탐사
Volume : 28
No :3
Pages :117-122
Received Date : 2025-07-22
Revised Date : 2025-08-15
Accepted Date : 2025-08-26
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7582/GGE.2025.28.3.117

Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration ISSN:1229-1064(Print) 2384-051X(Online) 지구물리와 물리탐사

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