Understanding the basaltic aquifer system and seawater intrusion on the volcanic island of Jeju, Korea, has received significant attention over the years, and various methodologies have been suggested in the contributions. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to effectively characterize groundwater systems due to the long period of volcanic activity and the lithological variability of basalt. In this study, geophysical well logging in seawater intrusion monitoring boreholes detected a sudden decrease of electrical conductivity within the saltwater zone in the eastern part of Jeju Island. This anomalous condition cannot be explained by the Ghyben-Herzberg model, which has historically been considered as the basic groundwater model of Jeju Island. This paper focuses on fine-scale temporal and spatial variability of groundwater flow using electrical conductivity and temperature logs and borehole temperature monitoring by a thermal line sensor. On the basis of the results, we evaluate an alternative model to replace the traditional conceptual model in the eastern part of Jeju Island. It is revealed that the area consists of heterogeneous aquifer systems, and the behavior of freshwater and saltwater is understood by temperature monitoring over the entire depth of boreholes. Coastal aquifers flow through two or more independent channels with weak vertical connections. In addition, seawater intrusion does not occur continuously in the vertical direction from the bottom depth, but instead occurs through these multilayered aquifers. In particular, the multilayered aquifers that are responsible for flow pathway, as well as the freshwater–saltwater interface form mainly at lithological boundaries. Our preliminary conceptual model is expected to be improved and revised by various measurements of hydrodynamic parameters such as flowmeter or packer test.

Understanding the physical flow mechanisms in aquifer systems is essential in effectively protecting groundwater resources and preserving subsurface environments from a wide range of contaminants. A conceptual model is a simplified representation of a groundwater system and gaining knowledge about the geological features and parameters controlling the flow and transport processes is a crucial first step towards properly constructing a site-scale conceptual model. In this study, we present a multi-step workflow that involves integrated borehole techniques to gain information concerning groundwater flow. Measurements from core-scale to field-scale enable us to better build a subsurface geological structure divided into the unconsolidated layer and the fractured bedrock. In addition, neutron logging and mercury injection capillary pressure techniques allow for the development of vertical porosity distribution in the alluvial layer. For fracture characterization, the fracture geometry is delineated using a series of borehole imaging techniques and single-hole tests to differentiate the individual permeable fractures from other hydraulically inactive fractures. Combining the hydraulic and geometric evaluations, the presence of large-scale connective fracture networks is identified. Our high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) site-scale conceptual model is expected to contribute to improving the reliability and availability of numerical groundwater models.

Seismic waves caused by earthquakes can lead to the movement of fresh groundwater and saltwater in coastal aquifers. The groundwater level, temperature, and electrical conductivity in coastal monitoring wells on the volcanic island of Jeju all responded to the 2011 M 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. As a result of the earthquake, groundwater temperature and electrical conductivity patterns demonstrated freshwater outflow and saltwater inflow through the monitoring wells in multi-layered coastal aquifers. The seismicity also affected the behavior of ocean tides occurring at depth along the multi-layered coastal aquifers. These observations prove that the use of multi-depth systems for monitoring groundwater level, temperature, and electrical conductivity are more effective than single monitoring systems for understanding the exact behavior of multi-layered aquifers as well as efficiently detecting earthquake-induced or anthropogenic impacts on aquifers in coastal, karstic, or volcanic areas.