Investigation of the Azraq Basin, Jordan using Integrated Geoelectrical Techniques: 2D Modeling of Transient Electromagnetic Data

Researchdata & Literature
Maintained by Pritam Yogeshwar
Created at 3.2.2015

Abstract

The Eastern Mediterranean has been the passageway for human migration from Africa to the Middle East, the Balkans and Europe. The Azraq basin in the eastern desert of Jordan has been a major spot for human settlements since the middle Pleistocene. The former lake in the basin center has developed to a 10 km × 10 km large hyper-saline alluvial mudflat, the Qa’ Al Azraq. In the basin center thick sequences of alluvial sediments, consisting mostly of clay and various evaporates, are deposited. We utilized the Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) and the Direct Current Resistivity (DCR) methods to identify suitable borehole locations in the area for the paleoclimatical reconstruction. Two profiles, 5 km and 3 km long, were investigated from the edge of the basin to the basin center, crossing three geological formations. The TEM data is interpreted by 1D Marquardt and Occam inversions and stitched together as a 2D section. The DCR data is interpreted in 2D using a smoothness constraint inversion. We calibrated the geoelectrical models with lithological information available along the profile. Previously uncertain depths of geological boundaries are determined along both profiles by the geophysical results. As the 1D interpretation of TEM data is inadequate, when it is approaching strong lateral subsurface contrasts, a 2D conductivity model is derived and the TEM data is explained by means of 2D modeling.

Bibliography

Yogeshwar, P., Tezkan, B., Haroon, A. (2012): Investigation of the Azraq Basin, Jordan using Integrated Geoelectrical Techniques: 2D Modeling of Transient Electromagnetic Data.

authorYogeshwar, P. and Tezkan, B. and Haroon, A.
keyP.Yogeshwar2012
seriesProceedings of the 21st international workshop on electromagnetic induction in the Earth, Darwin Australia
typeinproceedings
urlhttp://mtnet.dias.ie/workshops/2012_Darwin/Programme+Abstracts/Abstracts/S4-P/S4.2_P25_Yogeshwar.pdf
year2012
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