Radon emission along faults: a case study from district Karak, Sub-Himalayas, Pakistan

By using Durridge RAD7, onsite soil radon measurements were performed on 13 profiles and 65 points, across the known geological faults in district Karak, Pakistan. This study investigates the variations of radon concentration in soil gas along the major faults and to determine a possible relationship between radon anomalies and faults. Traverses were made approximately perpendicular to the fault scarps. Anomalous radon concentrations observed among the fault zones are relatively high in the fault line while, declines moving away from the fault lines. Radon concentrations in all the three fault systems ranged from 0.15 to 51 Bq/l. The results suggest that radon measurement is a good tool for delineation of the active faults and identifying and locating the true extent of the faults.

Automated summary

This study conducted soil radon measurements using Durridge RAD7 on known geological faults in district Karak, Pakistan. The results showed high radon concentrations along the fault lines, indicating the potential for using radon measurement as a tool for identifying active faults and determining their extent.