Fracture Network Analysis of the Balmuccia Peridotite by Drone-Based Photogrammetry

Niccolo Menegoni, Andrew Greenwood, György Hetényi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A drone-based Digital Outcrop Model (DOM) of the Balmuccia Peridotite (Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Italy) was developed to quantitatively characterize the rock discontinuity network and to aid interpretation of high-resolution seismic datasets that cross the drilling target of the Drilling the Ivrea-Verbano zonE (DIVE) Phase 2 project. Thanks to the photograph resolution (3 cm/pixel), the drone on-board Real Time Kinematic-Global Navigation Satellite System, and the Ground Control Points, it was possible to develop a high resolution and accurate DOM. Eight sets of discontinuities (e.g., fault, fracture, layering) are identified, their length distributions are defined, and the areal intensity (P21) and spatial variations estimated. The orientations of the discontinuity sets agree with previous field-based studies indicating a good validity of DOM-analysis. It shows that the N-S vertical set (pyroxenite layers marking the foliation) is the most frequent, the E-dipping set has the highest size, and the two vertical sets trending ca. WNW-ESE and WSW-ENE (trace of fault system) have the lowest frequency and size. Moreover, the dataset shows that the highest P21 is located closer to the inactive quarry and to the Peridotite-Mafic complex contact. These findings will have major implications for the interpretation of the high-resolution seismic data of the Balmuccia target.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNSG2022 3rd Conference on Airborne, Drone and Robotic Geophysics
PublisherEuropean Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
Number of pages5
Volume2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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