Skip to main content
Log in

Mapping of subsurface fault structures by VLF-EM method in Al Khoud area, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The subsurface fault structure near Al Khoud area of Muscat city, Sultante of Oman, was investigated using very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) method at two different transmitter frequencies namely 15.1 and 16.0 kHz. The measured in-phase and out-of-phase components were processed and interpreted in order to determine the depth to the top and width of the fault by Kharous-Hjelt filtering and the amplitude of analytical signal approach. In addition, the principal profiles from the contour maps of in-phase and out-of-phase components when processed and interpreted yield similar results for depth and width of the fault structure. The over all results suggest that the nature of fault structure is dipping as it lies at a wide range of depth from different profiles. The results are presented highlighting the merits of the methods.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Fraser DC (1969) Contouring of VLF-EM data. Geophysics 34:958–967

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, DC (1981) A review of some useful algorithms in geophysics. Canadian Institute of Mining Transactions 74(828):76–83

  • Karous, M, Hjelt, SE (1977) Determination of apparent current density from VLF measurements: report. Department of Geophysics, Univeristy of Oulu, Finland, Contribution No 89, 19 pp.

  • Karous M, Hjelt SE (1983) Linear filtering of VLF dip-angle measurements. Geophys Prospect 31:782–794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mann A, Hanna SS, Nolan SC (1990) The post-Cambrian tectonic evolution of the Central Oman Mountains: Tertiary extension of the Eastern Arabian Margin. The Geological Society of London 49:549–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nabighian, MN (1972) The analytical signal of 2D magnetic bodies with polygonal cross section, its properties and use for automated anomaly interpretation Geophysics 37:507–12

  • Nolan SC, Skelton PW, Clissold BP, Smewing JD (1990) Maastrichtian to early Tertiary stratigraphy and paleogeography of the Central and Northern Oman Mountains. The Geological Society of London 49:495–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogilvy RD, Lee AC (1991) Interpretation of VLF-EM in-phase data using current density pseudosections. Geophys Prospect 39:567–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philips WJ, Richards WE (1975) A study of the effectiveness of the VLF method for the location of narrow, mineralized fault zones. Geoexploration 13:215–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powers, CJ, Kamini Singha, and F. Peter Haeni (1999) Integration of surface geophysical methods for fracture detection in bedrock at Mirror Lake, New Hampshire. Proceedings of Technical Meeting of US Geological Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, Charleston, South Carolina. USGS Water Resources Investigations Report

  • Sundararajan N, Ramesh Babu V, Shiva Prasad N, Srinivas Y (2006) VLFPROS—a Matlab code for processing of VLF-EM data. Comput Geosci 32:1806–1813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundararajan N, Chary MN, Nandakumar G, Srinivas Y (2007) VLF and VES—an application to groundwater exploration, Khammam, India. The Leading Edge 26:708–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundararajan N, Srinivas Y (2010) Fourier Hilbert versus Hartley Hilbert transforms with some geophysical applications. J Appl Geophys 71:157–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundararajan N, Ramesh Babu V and Chatruvedi AK (2011) Detection of basement fractures favorable to uranium mineralization from VLF-EM signals: Journal of Geophysics and Engineering(IOP) 8:330–340

  • Wright, JL, (1988) VLF Interpretation Manual. EDA Instruments (now Scintrex. Ltd.), Concord, Ont.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors record their sincere and profound thanks to the reviewers for their useful suggestions to improve the manuscript as presented. This work forms part of the undergraduate final year project of the first author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Sundararajan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Al Bulushi, A.M., Al Wardi, M., Al Shaqsi, B. et al. Mapping of subsurface fault structures by VLF-EM method in Al Khoud area, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Arab J Geosci 9, 349 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2331-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2331-z

Keywords

Navigation