Active Fault Trace Identification Using a LiDAR High-Resolution DEM: A Case Study of the Central Yangsan Fault, Korea

Korea has been recognized as an earthquake-safe zone, but over recent decades, several earthquakes, at a medium scale or higher, have occurred in succession in and around the major fault zones, hence there is a need for studying active faults to mitigate earthquake risks. In Korea, research on active faults has been challenging owing to urbanization, high precipitation, and erosion rates, and relatively low earthquake activity compared to the countries on plate boundaries. To overcome these difficulties, the use of aerial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) techniques providing high-resolution images and digital elevation models (DEM) that filter vegetation cover has been introduced. Multiple active fault outcrops have been reported along the Yangsan Fault, which is in the southeastern area of the Korean Peninsula. This study aimed to detect active faults by performing a detailed topographic analysis of aerial LiDAR images in the central segment of the Yangsan Fault. The aerial LiDAR image covered an area of 4.5 km by 15 km and had an average ground point density of 3.5 points per m², which produced high-resolution images and DEMs at greater than 20 cm. Using LiDAR images and DEMs, we identified a 2–4 m high fault scarp and 50–150 m deflected streams with dextral offset. Based on the image analysis, we further conducted a trench field investigation and successfully located the active fault that cut the Quaternary deposits. The N–S to NNE-striking fault surfaces cut unconsolidated deposits comprising nine units, and the observed slickenlines indicated dextral reverse strike-slip. The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age dating results of the unconsolidated deposits indicate that the last earthquake occurred 3200 years ago, which is one of the most recent along the Yangsan Fault.