Neotectonics and Morphologic Evolution in Taoyuan Area, Northwestern Taiwan

Two main structure systems are interlinked at the greater Taoyuan area. Hsinchuang fault is the leading edge of one system which structures trend northeast to southwest and Peicheng anticline is that of the other system which structures trend ENE to WSW. Among these structures, the Hukou fault and its related anticline are especially important in terms of their hazard potential because more than 2 million people inhabit in the greater Taoyuan area. In this study, we plan to perform well drilling to collect cores and topographic analyses to locate the fault trace along with carbon 14 dating to estimate the fault activity and characterize deformed ground using upcoming UAV aerial photographs. Core correlation will help us determine the fault existence. The structural mapping on the Dahan riverbed may resolve the relation between the two main structure systems. Furthermore, we will numerically simulate the fault propagation, Hukou anticline, earthquake-induced ground-surface deformation and deformation zone. The outcome of this study is expected to enhance the understanding of regional geology and contribute the Hukou fault zone delineation, and earthquake hazard and risk assessment.