Assessment of geological hazards and geothermal resources associated to the transverse faults of Eastern Belgium

Abstract

The Eastern part of Belgium is marked by a relatively high level of seismic activity that is mainly related to the presence of transverse faults. Therefore, it is particularly important to assess various types of geological hazards in this region. In addition, it is likely that the geothermal potential is higher in that area as in many cases a higher seismo-tectonic activity is accompanied by a stronger fracturing of rocks. Those locally fractured and thus more permeable rocks may then form a geothermal reservoir at depth (that could be exploitable). The first goal of this study is to characterize the structure of the transverse faults of Eastern Belgium by the quantitative analysis of the LIDAR DEM and multi-spectral remote imagery of the area. Secondly, some specific sites located along/near the Hockai Fault Zone and along the Western part of the Roer Valley Graben will be investigated by 3 different geophysical methods: the H/V microseismic technique as well as the electrical resistivity and the electromagnetic methods. Thirdly, 3D structural models will be completed for sub-areas on the basis of existing geological data and the new digital morphological and geophysical information. The models will be used as inputs for the geological hazard and the geothermal potential evaluation.