Applications of the VLF-EM method for rapid Sumatran fault identification in Leuser

national park, Aceh

Irwandi, Marwan, Muksin, and Fashbir

Citation: AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 030050 (2017); doi: 10.1063/1.4990937

View online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4990937
View Table of Contents: http://aip.scitation.org/toc/apc/1861/1
Published by the American Institute of Physics

Articles you may be interested in

Implementation of hybrid optimization for time domain electromagnetic 1D inversion
AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 030035 (2017); 10.1063/1.4990922

Hydrothermal system of the Papandayan Volcano from temperature, self-potential (SP) and geochemical
measurements
AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 030033 (2017); 10.1063/1.4990920

Application of time domain electromagnetic method to study Lembang fault, West Java
AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 030034 (2017); 10.1063/1.4990921

Utilizing of 2-D resistivity with geotechnical method for sediment mapping in Sungai Batu, Kedah
AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 030048 (2017); 10.1063/1.4990935

Magnetic data analysis to determine the subsurface structures in CandiUmbul geothermal prospect area,
Central Java
AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 030041 (2017); 10.1063/1.4990928

Preface: The 1st International Geo-Electromagnetic Workshop 2017 (IGeo-EM 2017)

AIP Conference Proceedings 1861, 010001 (2017); 10.1063/1.4990886
 Applications of the VLF-EM method for Rapid Sumatran
Fault Identification in Leuser National Park, Aceh
Irwandi1,2,3,a), Marwan1,2), Muksin1,2,3), Fashbir1)
1
Physics Department, Syiah Kuala University,Indonesia
2
Geophysics Department, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia
3
TDMRC, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: irwandi@unsyiah.ac.id

Abstract. Aceh is an area which is located at volcanically active region and at the meeting point of the Eurasian and the
Indo-Australian plates. Many mountain formations and folds are formed as a result of the meeting of these plates. One of
the mountains in Aceh is The Gunung Leuser, the highest mountain in the province with altitude of 3,404 m. The active
geodynamic conditions could lead to the formation of potentially active faults which produce earthquakes. Due to safety
reason, there are few researches done to identify active faults in the LE (Leuser Ecosystem). Therefore, we propose a
preliminary study to identify morphological patterns of the fault system from the topography data of SRTM (Shuttle
Radar Topography Mission). Having obtained the approximate location of fault, then a Very Low Frequency method is
applied to determine the detail characteristic of the fault. This method can determine the subsurface structure to a depth
of 50 m without digging or drilling. In this study, we measure three profiles with length of each profile of 12-16 km.
Along profile 1, the VLF data fluctuated due to relatively high iron deposition along the line. For profile 2, the results are
very consistent with the adjacent to the fault Blangkejeren which is the main part of the Sumatran Fault. Profile 3 Lokop-
Kutacane fault also shows the correction of the topography. In general, VLF method is relatively influenced by noise as
the consequences of the passive electromagnetic measurement. Thus, it is important to develop an analysis method of
VLF data that includes the topographical correction so that better lateral anomaly map can be created.

INTRODUCTION
LE (Leuser Ecosystem) area is an area across by active faults, but not many research done to identify the active
faults because of the safety factor. Most of research carried out focus on environment and ecosystem matters, and
less research focus on geological hazard. Therefore, we interest to identify the Sumatra active fault especially
segments Tripa and Batee Fault. In addition, the Leuser national park is also interesting in terms of complex
geomorphology features [1,2,3].
Active Fault Investigations research in the LE Method Using VLF is aimed to learn the utilization of VLF
method for rapid identification of active faults. VLF method is a method that detects electromagnetic geophysical
conductivity or resistivity zone with a penetration depth of a few tens meters. VLF method uses electromagnetic
waves generated by the military transmitter for submarine communication. These waves have frequency range of
15-30 KHz distributed throughout the earth's surface [4,5]. Tilt-angle methods such as VLF-EM are widely used
since the equipment associated with it is simple, relatively cheap, and the technique is rapid to employ. However,
they provide little quantitative information on the conductor. More sophisticated EM surveying systems measure the
phase and amplitude relationships between primary, secondary and resultant electromagnetic fields. The various
types of system available are discussed in previous studies [6,7,8].
There are two kinds of measurement in VLF methods which depends on the components measured, tilt angle
(VLF-EM) or resistivity (VLF-R). In the VLF-EM measurement, the tilt angle and ellipticity parameters of
components in phase and phase out the magnetic field vertical to horizontal can be computed. The value of tilt angle

1st International Geo-Electromagnetic Workshop (Geo-EM 2017)

AIP Conf. Proc. 1861, 030050-1–030050-4; doi: 10.1063/1.4990937
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1535-5/$30.00

030050-1
 (%) equals the ratio Hz / Hx of its in-phase components. Hz is the vertical magnetic field and Hx is the horizontal
magnetic field (Fig. 1) [9].

Measurements Lines
Transmitter
Investigative
Hz Strike Fault Line
Hx

(a)

(b)
FIGURE 1. (a) VLF tilt angle mode (VLF-EM) (b) The FIGURE 2. Research area around Leuser Mountain
polarization ellipse and tilt-angle θ. Hp and Hs represent
the primary and secondary electromagnetic fields.

This research generally consists of topographic data analysis with a resolution of 90 m [10], geological map, and
VLF survey. The research takes place around the Leuser area shown in Fig. 2.The equipment used in this research
are one unit of VLF survey equipment, GPS handheld, Compass, and Camera. The research procedures were divided
into three stages: Preliminary Study, Field Survey, and Data Processing.
Topography data analysis and regional geological maps are preliminary method to identify the faults. Field
surveys include observations of the morphology and structure of the visual field. All the data and tools required to
support the research should be well prepared. We have to decide the route of VLF survey plan.
VLF measurement can be considered as a passive measurement because we cannot control the source of
electromagnetic waves although even their sources are man-made transmitters. In this study, two transmitters were
used. The first transmitter is F1 (22200Hz JJI) at the 32.05 N, 131.51 W at a distance of 3477km from Banda Aceh,
in the direction of 48 degrees from north. The second transmitter is F2 (22300Hz NWC) at 21.47 S and 144.09 E at a
distance of 4947 km from Banda Aceh in the direction of 120 degrees from north. The Sumatra fault position is 135
degrees.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

In this research, VLF-EM measurements have been conducted in the route from Babahrot, Southwest Aceh
District to Blangkejeren, GayoLues district (red line), as shown in Fig. 3. The route overlay on map of structures and
tectonic setting for Aceh Basin and distribution Tertiary and Quaternary sediments. Interpretations of topographic
data used to estimate the fault lines associated with Fig. 3 are shown in Fig. 4. The left end Fault is a continuation of
the Anu-Batee fault, while the middle one is Blangkejeren fault, and the one curving to the north is Kutacane-Lokop
fault. The sketch of fault is estimation and it requires more detail studies to obtain further evidence for the fault
location. The sketch can also be compared with the geological map as shown in Fig. 5. The sketch shows pattern the
fault located at boundaries of rock formations that are characteristic of geodynamic phenomenon.
In Fig. 6, a graph of observation track altitude versus distance (off-road) from an observation point for each
profile. Profile one starts from Babahrot to Singgahmata point. Line 2 starts from Trilis to Kotapanjang and line 3
starts from Blangkejeren town to Uring. Tilt measurement for profile 1 is shown in Fig. 7. At the beginning of the
profile, high fluctuation of measurement data is observable. This occurrence may be due to the location of initial
measurement area that is located in iron ore mining area so that the high iron ore concentration will disturb
electromagnetic fields received. It also might be that the area is a fault point of Anu-Batee fault. Smoothing process
is applied to the tilt data in order to make data interpretation easier. The smoothing results show a return value of
about 11-13 km. This can be interpreted as a correction of the topography as shown in Fig. 6. Although the tilt is
highly fluctuative, the ellipticity values have consistency for both frequencies.
Fig. 8 shows very good results and has very consistent values for the two frequencies. There has been little
fluctuation at the beginning of the profile. It is possible because the topography pattern is slightly wavy at the

030050-2
beginning of the profile, and at the end of the profile, the graph start ascending, indicating that the area associated is
at the beginning of Blangkejeren fault zone which is the main part of the Sumatra fault. If the graph is resumed
across Sumatra fault, a complete wave will exist. Fig. 9 has graph pattern that is relatively consistent between both
frequencies. Noticing the graph, it is generally observed that centre of turning point exists at the center of the profile
located at 6 km passed by Lokop-Kotacane fault. Meanwhile, turning fluctuation that occurs around 9-10 km point is
the effect of topography residing at the peak at 1500 m at the location 10 km.

FIGURE 3.(top-left) Research area, profile VLF

survey, and tectonic setting for Aceh [11].

FIGURE 4.(top-right) Topographic data with hill

effect and interpretation fault line.

FIGURE 5. (right) Consistency of fault line with a

regional scale geological map [12]

1600
Profile 1
1400 Profile 2
Profile 3

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

FIGURE 6. Graph of altitude (m) for each profile (km)

CONCLUSION
The results of this research show that the VLF measurement can be considered able to estimate the location of
the fault although it has error that cannot be ignored. This is a consequence of the passive measurement which has
relatively small Signal to Noise Ratio if compared with the active geophysical measurements. In addition, in the
VLF data processing, a method that involve topography correction factor should be developed in order to produce
better lateral anomalies.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to acknowledge assistance from TDMRC, Geophysics Engineering Department of Engineering Faculty,
and Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia. I would like to express
my special thanks of gratitude to people and government of Aceh Barat Daya and Gayo Luwes who help and
support during the survey. The authors offer their sincere and profound thanks to all the reviewers for their useful
comments and many suggestions regarding revisions to the manuscript.

030050-3
 40
40

30

20
20

10 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 -20
-10

-20 -40
Tilt 1 F1
Tilt 1 F2 Ellips1F1
-30
Smooth F1
-60
Smooth F2 Ellips1F2
-40

-50 -80

FIGURE 7. Graph of tilt change (%) (left) and ellipse (%) (right) of the profile 1 (km)
40 60

30 Tilt 2 F1 50 Ellips 2 F1
Tilt 2 F2 Ellips 2 F2
20
40
10

30
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
-10 20

-20 10

-30
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
-40

FIGURE 8. Graph of tilt change (%) (left) and elliptical (%) (right) of the profile 2 (km)
500 60

Tilt 3 F1 Ellips 3 F1
400 Tilt 3 F2 40 Ellips 3 F2

300
20

200
0
100 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

-20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-40
-100

-200 -60

-300
-80

FIGURE 9. Graph of tilt change (%) (left) and elliptical (%) (right) of the profile 2 (km)

REFERENCES
[1] Sieh, Kerry dan Danny Natawidjaja 2000 Neotectonic of the Sumatran fault, Indonesia Journal of Geophysical
Research Vol. 105 No. B12 p 28,295-28,326 December 10, 2000.
[2] Irwandi, Takeo Ito, and Fumiaki Kimata 2009 Field Challenge of Continues GPS Array Maintenance on
Sumatra Fault: Report of the August 13-14, 2008 AGNeSS Continue Site Investigation. The 5th Investigation
Report of 2004 Northern Sumatra Earthquake.
[3] Ito T, Gunawan E, Kimata F, Tabei T, Meilano I, Ohta Y, Ismail N, Nurdin I and Sugiyanto D 2016 Co-
seismic offsets due to two earthquakes (M w 6.1) along the Sumatran fault system derived from GNSS
measurements Earth, Planets and Space 68(1) 1-8.
[4] Alatorre Z, Ángel M, Campos-Enríquez J O, Belmonte-Jiménez S I and Ibarra-Nuño J 2014 Inference of fault
and fracture systems beneath the Matatlan waste dump basement, a VLF study Geofísicainternacional 53-3
241-257.
[5] Sundararajan N, Babu V R, Prasad N S and Srinivas Y 2006 VLFPROS—A Matlab code for processing of
VLF-EM data Computers & Geosciences 32 1806–1813
[6] Telford 1990 Applied Geophysics Second Edition, Cambridge University Melbourne. Australia.
[7] Kearey P and Brooks M 2002 An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration. Blackwell publishing.
[8] Vargemezis G 2014 3D geoelectrical model of geothermal spring mechanism derived from VLF
measurements: A case study from Aggistro (Northern Greece) Geothermics 51 1–8.
[9] IRIS Instruments 1997 T-VLF Operating Manual Book, Paris.
[10] Farr T G et al 2007 The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, Rev. Geophys 45 RG2004 doi:
10.1029/2005RG000183.
[11] Barber A J, Crow M J & Mmsom J S (eds) 2005 Sumatra: Geology, Resources and Tectonic Evolution.
Geological Society, London, Memoirs 31.
[12] Cameron N R et al 1983 Geologic Map of the Takengon Quadrangle, Sumatra, Geological Research and
Development Centre Scale 1:250.000, Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Geologi (1983).

030050-4