An investigation of the role of main faults in controlling the abundance and quality of groundwater resources in the Semnan province

Faults, as an important group of geological structures, play a major role in controlling the abundance and quality of
groundwater resources. In this research, based on the available data, the relationships between faulting and the
characteristics of water resources (mainly information concerning with springs and wells) of the Semnan province
were studied. The spatial variation of the characteristics of the springs and wells and their correlation with adjacent
faults were analyzed using software ArcGis (version 9.3). The results obtained indicate that the locations of springs
significantly correlate with the general trend of the faults. It is a fact that faults can control the emergence of springs,
especially in fractured rock and karst aquifers. Furthermore, the data concerning with the spatial variation of water
table situation in the plains as well as the electric conductivity of the wells were gathered and analyzed in relation to
the adjacent faults. According to the results obtained in this analysis, it is suggested that the major fault system of the
province, especially at the northern parts, play an important role in the migration of groundwater resources to the
adjacent plains.

An investigation of the role of main faults in controlling the abundance and quality of groundwater resources in the Semnan province Keywords:

Faulting , Groundwater Resources , Semnan Province , Structural Factors , Spatial Analysis