Investigation of the Azraq Basin, Jordan using Integrated Geoelectrical Techniques: 2D Modeling of Transient Electromagnetic Data
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.
Resources
Bibliography
Yogeshwar, P., Tezkan, B., Haroon, A. (2012): Investigation of the Azraq Basin, Jordan using Integrated Geoelectrical Techniques: 2D Modeling of Transient Electromagnetic Data.
author | Yogeshwar, P. and Tezkan, B. and Haroon, A. |
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key | P.Yogeshwar2012 |
series | Proceedings of the 21st international workshop on electromagnetic induction in the Earth, Darwin Australia |
type | inproceedings |
url | http://mtnet.dias.ie/workshops/2012_Darwin/Programme+Abstracts/Abstracts/S4-P/S4.2_P25_Yogeshwar.pdf |
year | 2012 |