Terrain discontinuity effects in the regional flow of a complex karstified aquiferTerrain discontinuity effects in the regional flow of a complex karstified aquifer Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-212010enKarst aquifers are characterized by spatial heterogeneity due to the presence of highly permeable channels and conduits in low-permeable fractured rocks (matrix block). Recent studies have reported a close relationship between surface and subsurface water in karstic regions due to the water flow through a complicated network of paths formed by fracture intersections. Subsurface flow in karstified aquifers ranges between conduit flow, in large passages with relatively high flow velocities, and diffuse flow, in the matrix block where Darcy’s law is still valid. In this paper, we present the simulation of a complex karstified aquifer system in Crete, Greece, where the presence of main faults drastically affects the regional flow. A discrete fracture approach in conjunction with an equivalent porous medium approach was adopted to simulate the mixed flow in the area of interest. The simulation results have shown that the length and the orientation of the dominant faults, primarily during the rainy season, affect the flow field.Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικό http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Environmental Modeling and Assessment155319-328 Papadopoulou Maria P. Varouchakis Emmanouil Βαρουχακης Εμμανουηλ Karatzas Giorgos Καρατζας Γιωργος Springer Verlag Karstification Faults Subsurface flow simulation Fractured medium Coastal aquifer