Characterization of Fault Zones in Mudstone on Macroscopic and Microscopic Scales: an Example of Chekualin Active Fault in Southwestern Taiwan

Characteristics of fault zones in mudstone have been studied relatively less than those ones in crystalline rock and sandstone. This study targets on Chekualin fault zone exposed in mudstone of Gutingkeng formation to explore the characteristics of fault zone in mudstone and associated deformation mechanisms. The survey will be conducted in regional, mesoscopic and microscopic scales. The UAV aerial photography will be used to track the fault zone; scraping and mapping fault outcrops will be conducted to document the fault zones; thin section preparation, XRD, XRF and SEM will be conducted in order to observe and record micro-structures. The matters intentionally discussed or answered in this study are as follows: 1.What is the configuration of CheKualin fault zone? 2. What is the maximum accumulative displacement of Chekualin fault? 3.What are the characteristics of Chekualin fault zone? 4.What are the micro-structures (deformation mechanisms) within the Chekualin fault zone? 5.What are physical properties of the shear bands of Chekualin fault zone? Chekualin fault has been acknowledged recently as second category of active fault because of the new finding that it thrusts onto　alluvial sediment with the age of 32730+/-240BP. The results of our study will benefit the earthquake and faulting hazard assessment.