Ronny Figueroa, Tomás Roqer, Gloria Arancibia, Nicolás Pérez-Estay, Gonzalo Yañez.
JI3 2016, number 7, pages 78-89.
Abstract
Geoscientists have characterized the fault zones in order to assess the geothermal potential or exploitation of a mineral resource. However, these structures are generally not observed on the surface, so its architecture can be inferred from the different methods. This work intends to evaluate if the architecture of an observable fault zone in the surface can be reflected in its response in terms of its electrical properties. So, a survey on structural data was carried out and a geophysical metrical-scale survey of geo-electricity in a fault zone associated to the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault System was applied, in the Southern Andes. The results indicate that the zone accumulating the greatest deformation represents a relative conductor, whereas the adjacent zones of damage behave as a relative resistive. Measured resistivity would be controlled by the internal structure and mineralogy of each structural domain. This methodology would serve to consider the architecture of a non-exposed fault zone in the surface.