This study was carried out in Harat Rahat (south of Almadinah Almonwarah) using seismic reflection and resistivity methods. The main objectives of this study are to determine the extent of the basaltic layer and to define the subsurface faults and fractures that could affect and control the groundwater movement in the study area. A 2D seismic profile was acquired and the result shows that the subsurface in the study area has a major fault. We obtained a well match when the seismic result was compared with drilled wells. As a complementary tool, the resistivity method was applied in order to detect the groundwater level. The results of the resistivity method showed that six distinct layers have been identified. The interpretation of these six layers show that the first three layers, the fourth layer, the fifth layer and the bottom of the section indicated various subsurface structures and lithologies; various basaltic layers, fractured basalt, weathered basement and fresh basaltic layers, respectively. It is obvious that the eventual success of geophysical surveys depend on the combination with other subsurface data sources in order to produce accurate maps.
The seismic method is able to produce highly accurate images of the Earth's subsurface. Having such detail is not only an important factor in mining, but also in civil engineering. Bauxite exploration attracts both government and industrialists to invest in it because of the high percentage of aluminum present. The economic importance of extracting aluminum from bauxite encouraged us to take this challenge; to image bauxite layers by using a high-resolution seismic reflection method at Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Since the subsurface structure of the area is complex, this high-resolution reflection method was carried out along a 2D line with geophone and source interval, with settings at 5 m. The result for the seismic section shows that the depth and thickness of the bauxite layer varied from 20 to 34 m, and 3 to 7 m respectively. In addition, the bauxite layer was sandwiched between clay layers. In order to achieve an even more precise depth than presented by seismic section alone, we tied the drilled wells to the seismic data and we accomplished a well match with an approximation error of 1-2 m, which may have been caused by the upper clay layer or by very shallow loose subsurface material. The seismic method thus applied shows the ability to detect significant details within the near surface of the earth, and considers more cost-effective than only drilled wells.
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