Near-surface geophysical mapping of an Upper Cretaceous submarine volcanic vent in Austin, Texas, USA

Abstract

Geophysical surveys were conducted at the Williamson Creek site south of Austin, Texas, to determine the structural relation of the Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks (lava and tuff) with the associated Austin Chalk limestone. At this site, resistivity and magnetic methods were performed over the exposed volcanic and limestone rocks. Geophysical results indicate an excellent correlation between high-magnetic and low-resistivity anomalies. The pseudo-3D resistivity data show a steeply dipping funnel-shaped vent formation over the high-magnetic anomaly (up to 3000 nT). Magnetic anomalies are consistent with a uniformly magnetized body, like a volcanic vent, and the anomaly's dimensions are consistent with eroded volcanic vents in other distributed volcanic fields in the United States. Magnetic data has been integrated with resistivity data and geologic observations and subjected to 2.5D forward potential-field modeling. Modeling has revealed a perfect fit with three magnetic zones: (1) the central part corresponds to the main magma feeder (vent); (2) the surrounding zone corresponds to undifferentiated interbedded tuffs and lavas; and (3) the low-magnetization zone. Geophysical results show that additional resistivity surveys, in conjunction with magnetic surveys, could offer useful information on the shallow volcanic plugs (serpentines), which are potential oil and gas traps in Texas, and their adjacent sedimentary rocks. The procedures developed here may have applications in other areas with comparable geologic conditions.