Integration of Ground Penetrating Radar and Seismic Refraction tomography for buried active fault detection

We describe a study aimed at the detection and characterization of active fault segments by means of geophysical surveys integrated with traditional geomorphic and structural observations. Specifically, we investigated an active buried fault bordering the western edge of the “Il Lago” Plain (Pettoranello del Molise, Italy) by means of the combination of seismic refraction tomography and low-frequency Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The results suggest that the application of these geophysical techniques may allow a quick fault-detection for an accurate siting of paleoseismological exploratory trenches. In fact, our GPR and seismic data allowed inferring the relatively deep (ca. 100 m) architecture and spatial continuity of fault systems previously unknown.