Fractured Rock Hydrogeology

Fractured Rock Hydrogeology explores the extensive presence of fractured rocks across the world, which appear in shields, massifs, and the cores of major mountain ranges. These rocks also form the basement beneath younger sedimentary rocks and, at depth, represent a continuous environment facilitating extended and deep regional groundwater flow.

Understanding groundwater flow and solute transport in fractured rocks is essential for the analysis of water resources, water quality, environmental protection, geotechnical and engineering projects, and geothermal energy production. The book includes chapters that offer both theoretical and practical analyses using numerical modelling, geochemistry, isotopes, aquifer tests, laboratory tests, field mapping, geophysics, geological analyses, and some unique combinations of these investigative methods.

Current water resource and geotechnical issues in various countries—and the techniques used to address them—are also discussed. The importance of geological interpretation is re-emphasised when analysing the hydrogeology of fractured, mostly crystalline rocks, highlighting how critical this is for understanding their hydrology and facilitating the wise utilisation of resources. This is indeed hydrogeology in its broadest sense. The book also clarifies the importance and complexity of extending or upscaling fractured rock hydraulic properties.

This book is intended for practising hydrogeologists, engineers, ecologists, resource managers, and perhaps most importantly, students and earth scientists who may not yet be familiar with the ubiquity and importance of fractured rock systems.