The Magnetometry—A Primary Tool in the Prospection of Underground Water

Abstract

One of the most important problems in arid and semi-arid zones in the Mexican Mesa Central is the one related to the exploration and exploitation of groundwater. It is found at depths over 200 m, and movement is primarily through fractures. This work presents a geophysical methodology, which shows the potential of combining natural and induced methods to locate confined aquifers in fault zones. The study begins by interpreting the aeromagnetic survey, mainly by searching alignments associated with low magnetic anomalies, which are correlated with faults zones, and/or fractures and/or geologic contacts where ferromagnetic minerals have undergone oxidation due to their association with recharged zones. These aeromagnetic alignments are confirmed on land by a ground magnetic survey. Based on these interpretations, electrical methods include sections and vertical electrical sounding are used to verify if the zones are correlated to the underground moisture. If both permeability and moisture are met together, then they considered as zones with a high probability of locating ground water in the Mexican Mesa Central.