The misunderstanding of hydrogeological processes together with the oversimplification of aquifer conceptual models result in numerous inaccuracies in the management of groundwater resources. In Central Chile (32–36°S), hydrogeological studies have exclusively focused to alluvial aquifers in valleys (~15% of total area) and mountain-front zones remain considered as no-flux boundary conditions. By a topological approach and an analysis of fractures, the hydrogeological potential of the Western Andean Front along the N–S-oriented Pocuro Fault Zone (PFZ) in the Aconcagua Basin were determined. Perennial springs (23) show evidence of groundwater flows into the fractured Principal Cordillera. Topology allows for quantification of the density of connected fractures within the fault zone and its relationship with groundwater circulation. The study results highlight two areas where the density of fractures and connected nodes (Nc) is high (>2.4 km/km², 2.5 Nc/km²). Both areas are topologically related to the main springs of the PFZ: Termas de Jahuel (discharge ~14.0 m³/h at 22 °C) and Termas El Corazón (discharge ~7.2 m³/h at 20 °C). Outcrop-scale mapping reveals that groundwater outflows from NW–SE fractures, which is consistent with the preferential orientation of the fracture network (N30–60 W) within the PFZ. The results indicate that oblique basement faults are discrete high-permeability structures conducting groundwater across the Western Andean Front from the Principal Cordillera up to adjacent alluvial aquifers (focused recharge). Therefore, the simplistic hydrogeological view of the Western Andean Front (i.e. impervious limit) is partially erroneous.

对水文地质过程的误解以及对含水层概念模型的过于简化，导致地下水资源管理的许多不准确之处。在智利中部（32-36°S），水文地质研究仅集中于山谷（占总面积的15％）的冲积含水层，而山前地带仍被视为无通流边界条件。通过拓扑方法和裂缝分析，确定了阿空加瓜盆地N-S导向的Pocuro断裂带（PFZ）沿安第斯前锋西部的水文地质潜力。多年生的泉水（23）表明地下水流入破裂的主要山脉。拓扑可以量化断层带中相连裂缝的密度及其与地下水循环的关系。²，2.5 NC /公里²）。这两个区域在拓扑上都与PFZ的主要泉水有关：Termas de Jahuel（在22°C时的排放量约为14.0 m ³ / h）和Termas ElCorazón（约7.2 m ^3的排放量）/ h在20°C下）。露头规模图显示，NW–SE裂缝中的地下水流出，这与PFZ中裂缝网络的优先方向（N30–60 W）一致。结果表明，倾斜的地下断层是离散的高渗透性结构，从安第斯山脉主要山脉一直到相邻的冲积含水层（集中补给）引导地下水穿过西安第斯前锋。因此，西安第斯前线的简单水文地质学观点（即不可渗透的界限）是部分错误的。