Skip to main content

Characterizing the Subsurface Structure Using 3-D Magnetotelluric Inversion: A Case Study of M'rara Basin, Algerian Sahara

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Geophysics, Tectonics and Petroleum Geosciences (CAJG 2019)

Abstract

The region of M'rara, located in the northeast Algerian Sahara basin, is severely afflicted by several natural perils such as the collapses and fissures around the water borehole situated in the center of the small town of M'rara. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the ground structures under eighteen (18) sites located near the above mentioned water borehole using the magnetotelluric (MT) method to collect the required data. For this reason, the three-dimensional (3-D) inversion method was done using the ModEM package to obtain a realistic 3-D resistivity model of the structures. The preferred model obtained from the 3-D inversion is sufficient to identify the M'rara basin; where reveal the folded resistive structure with an anticline form below the Senonian level and the significant fractures of axial and transverse types that extend in the hinge zone of this structure. As a result, the fissures and collapses at the ground surface may be attributed to a karstic process in the limestone layer in contact with water.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Busson, G.: Le Mésozoïque Saharien. 2. Essai de synthèse des données des sondages algéro-tunisiens. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cagniard, L.: Basic theory of the magneto-telluric method of geophysical prospecting. Geophysics 18, 605–635 (1953)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chave, A.D., Jones, A.G.: The Magnetotelluric Method: Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Egbert, G.D., Kelbert, A.: Computational recipes for electromagnetic inverse problems. Geophys. J. Int. 189, 251–267 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foudili, D., Bouzid, A., Berguig, M.C., Bougchiche, S.S., Abtout, A., Guemache, M.A.: Investigating karst collapse geohazards using magnetotellurics: a case study of M’rara basin, Algerian Sahara. J. Appl. Geophys. 160, 144–156 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gombert, P.: Role of karstic dissolution in global carbon cycle. Global Planet. Change 33, 177–184 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guendouz, A., Moulla, A.S., Edmunds, W.M., Zouari, K., Shand, P., Mamou, A.: Hydrogeochemical and isotopic evolution of water in the complexe terminal aquifer in the Algerian Sahara. Hydrogeol. J. 11, 483–495 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nely, G.: Méthodes géophysiques, vol. 2. Editions TECHNIP (1986)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Foudili, D., Bouzid, A., Berguig, M.C., Bougchiche, S.S., Abtout, A., Guemache, M.A. (2022). Characterizing the Subsurface Structure Using 3-D Magnetotelluric Inversion: A Case Study of M'rara Basin, Algerian Sahara. In: Meghraoui, M., et al. Advances in Geophysics, Tectonics and Petroleum Geosciences. CAJG 2019. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73026-0_74

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics