Characterizing the Hsincheng active fault in northern Taiwan using airborne LiDAR data: Detailed geomorphic features and their structural implications

We applied newly acquired high-resolution airborne LiDAR data to study a segment of the Hsincheng fault, a well-known active fault near a large industrial park in northern Taiwan. The Hsincheng fault has received much attention and study in the past; but high spatial resolution digital elevation models have not previously been applied to the study of the fault and its surrounding structures. We processed the acquired LiDAR data and produced 1 m digital elevation models (DEMs) to investigate the active fault adjacent to the densely populated and important infrastructure in Taiwan. Using the LiDAR DEMs, aerial photographs and topographic maps, we show highly detailed geomorphic characteristics around the study area of the Hsincheng fault. Three major characteristics of the study area are defined that include three very well preserved river terraces at varying levels, the fault/fold scarp of the Hsincheng fault, and meandering river systems. Using the LiDAR DEMs, we were able to detect with precision several fault/fold scarps and very gentle NE-trending folding of the river terraces. In general, the LiDAR DEMs have provided unprecedented clarity of landforms for one segment of the Hsincheng fault, which has helped the characterization of subtle but important geomorphic features.