Investigation of the Youjiang active fault zone and a preliminary study of its impact on the planned Huaneng Baise Power Plant

Along with the rapid development of the Chinese economy, there is an increasing demand for power consumption in southern China. The China Huaneng Group plans to build the Huaneng Baise Power Plant in the Baise region of Guangxi Province. The plant site is located in Baise City, Tianyang County, and is close to the Youjiang fault zone, which is an active fault zone. To investigate the impact of the active fault zone on the planned power plant, the geographical distribution of the fault zone and its relationship to the plant site should be further clarified. Because the plant site is covered by a Quaternary overburden layer and the Youjiang fault zone is concealed beneath the layer, the geographical relationship between the Youjiang fault zone and the plant site is difficult to determine. This paper reports on a comprehensive investigation using multiple approaches, including drilling, geophysical prospecting and a geological survey. By searching the moniliform spring heads and comparing strata variations and topographic changes between the foot wall and the hanging wall of the active fault zone, the location and trend of the Youjiang active fault zone were determined. The characteristics of this fault zone were further analyzed using high-density resistivity measurements and seismic imaging. Preliminary studies were conducted on the impact of the Youjiang active fault zone on the planned Huaneng Baise Power Plant, which provide an important basis for seismic safety assessment and also a significant reference for a feasibility study of the power plant. This investigation is a part of The Feasibility Study Project of Huaneng Baise Power Plant.