Electrical geophysics of carbonate mound spring complexes of the South-Western Great Artesian Basin

Abstract

Artesian mound springs occur along the south-western edge of the Great Artesian Basin, in northern South Australia, but their underground structure and relationship to faulting is not well understood. We have performed geophysical surveys over three different systems using a range of techniques: early-time TEM, self-potential, and magnetotellurics. The self-potential data contains a local response due to specific spring vents, and also a broader stronger response due to laterally extensive upwelling in the lower part of the Bulldog Shale, at depths of approximately 100 m. Modelling of TEM and magnetotelluric data show that the confining Bulldog Shale, which is generally very conductive, contains resistive areas underneath springs and spring complexes which are believed to be related to spring-related carbonate deposition. Magnetotelluric modelling in particular indicates that anisotropic resistivity in the form of vertical sheets at a depth of 100 to 200 m, can explain the observations more readily than a conductive 2D feature, suggesting that the structures underlying the springs are sets of closely-spaced faults. The orientation of this anisotropy matches the regional NNW/SSE orientation of spring complexes.