Investigation of Rawa Dano Volcanic Deposits and Its Paleotopography Using Ground-Penetrating Radar

Abstract

The detailed mechanisms of volcanic eruptions happened around Rawa Dano, Banten, Indonesia, remain undiscovered. One of the key features to this geological event is the presence of a 13.7 km × 6.5 km caldera-like morphology in the middle of Banten tuff deposits. Surface geological investigation in the area indicates that the eruptions are massive and occurred in several periods. Low-frequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR) signals are used as an aid to identify the unexposed part of the deposits in this volcanological study. Common-offset GPR surveys were carried out along three measurement lines traversing over the deposit outcrops. An outcrop which is exposed after sand mining activities at one of the survey locations shows dipping interfaces between the upper pyroclastic flow deposits, pumice-rich deposits, paleosol, and the lower pyroclastic fall deposits. These stratigraphic contacts are detected as well under the surface which are clearly recognizable in radar images. The GPR cross-section also shows some other reflections due to different deposit types. The overall results of the GPR profiles give the idea about the thickness of each type of volcanic deposits and the paleotopography in the surrounding area.