Geophysical Approach for Delineation of Shallow Crustal Structure along Borgaon-Sanwer Transect, Madhya Pradesh

Geoelectrical survey using direct current Schlumberger and equatorial dipole-dipole resistivity sounding techniques and collinear dipole-dipole traversing have been carried out along Borgaon-Sanwer profile in Madhya Pradesh. The area is covered by Deccan basalts overlying the Gondwana, Vindhyan and Bijawar sediments and the basement of Bundelkhand granite. The traverse, having a length of about 160 km, cuts across the Narmada river near Omkareswar. 2D model of 1D interpretation of Schlumberger and equatorial dipole sounding data reveals that the thickness of Deccan Trap varies from a few tens of metres to more than one km. Bundelkhand granite marks the high resistivity basement. Formations of intermediate to low resistivity are the Gondwana, Vindhyan, Bijawar and Quaternary sediments. A fault at Chhaigaon-Makhan has been delineated from the plot of resistivity pseudo-section, which is also corroborated by the findings of spectral analysis of magnetic data. 2D modelling of magnetic data has also confirmed the presence of the fault. The interpretation has also brought out the variable thickness of Deccan Trap between Borgaon and Deshgaon of 200 m to 900 m.

Interpretation of the sounding curves in general reveals high resistivity Bijawar rocks occurring at shallow depth of less than one km in the area south of the Narmada river, whereas to the north of the river the Bijawar occurs at a greater depth. It may, therefore, be inferred that the course of the Narmada river is coincident with a postulated fault plane. The general findings of resistivity survey are mostly compatible with the interpretation of the gravity survey conducted earlier in the area. Besides these, some additional geological structures are also delineated.