GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF

SHASHAMANE OROMIA INDUSTRIAL PARK

OROMIA WATER WORKS DESIGN

AND

SUPERVISION ENTERPRISE.
P.O.Box: 870/1250

Tel.: +251-11-4392469/2162

Fax: +251-11-4392008

Finfinne, Ethiopia

E-mail:[email protected]
GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF SHASHAMANE OROMIA INDUSTRIAL PARK

Table of Contents
1. GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION...........................................................................................3
1.1. General.......................................................................................................................................3
1.2. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES).........................................................................................3
1.2.1. Methodology.........................................................................................................................3
1.2.2. Field procedure and Instrumentations...............................................................................4
1.2.3. Instrumentation.......................................................................................................................5
1.2.4. VES Locations...........................................................................................................................5
1.3. Objectives...................................................................................................................................6
2. Result Interpretation........................................................................................................................7
2.1. Stacked plan maps of sliced depth sections...........................................................................7
2.2. Pseudo Depth section...............................................................................................................9
2.3. Geo-electric section.................................................................................................................10
2.4. VES 4.........................................................................................................................................12
3. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................16
4. Annex1. interpreted VES curves with possible lithology......................................................17
VES 1................................................................................................................................................17
VES 2................................................................................................................................................18
VES 3................................................................................................................................................18
5. Annex:2 Raw Data of Shashamane...........................................................................................20

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1..........................................................GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION

1.1. General
The application of geophysical methods in hydrogeological problems is based on the
fact that groundwater conditions at a location are mainly described through
characterizing the existence and distribution of permeable layers (like sand, gravel,
fractured rock) and impermeable or low-permeable layers (like clay, till, solid rock) in
the subsurface.
To achieve a geophysical image of these underground structures, sufficient contrast of
physical properties is required. Density, electrical conductivity, dielectric constant, and
magnetic susceptibility (to some extent) are the most relevant petro-physical properties
used as diagnostic parameters in geophysical exploration for groundwater. The
influence of porosity, water saturation, and clay content on these petro-physical
properties is the key factor.
Owing to their intrinsic correlation to the aforementioned physical properties of
subsurface rocks, the geophysical methods chosen for this particular of project were
Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES).

1.2. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)

1.2.1. Methodology

Geo-electrical methods are applied to map the resistivity structure of the ground under
the point of measurements. Rock resistivity is of special interest for hydro-geological
purposes. It allows discriminating between soft-rock, sandy aquifers and clayey
material; between hard rock porous/fractured aquifers and low-permeable clay stones
and marlstones; and between water-bearing fractured rock and its solid host rock.
Under favorable circumstances, the interface between fresh water and salt water.
Vertical electrical soundings are applied to a horizontally or approximately
horizontally-layered earth. Geological targets may be, for e.g., sedimentary rocks of
different lithologies, layered aquifers of different properties, sedimentary rocks
overlying igneous rocks, or the weathering zone of igneous rocks. In the most favorable

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case, the number of layers, their thicknesses and resistivities are the outcome of a VES
survey.
The basic idea of resolving the vertical resistivity layering is to stepwise increase the
current-injecting electrodes spacing, which leads to an increasing penetration of the
current lines and in this way to an increasing influence of the deep-seated layers on the
apparent resistivity.
The step-wise measured apparent resistivities are plotted against the current electrode
spacing on a log/log scale and interpolated to a continuous apparent resistivity
measurements with increased current electrode spacing leading to increased
penetration depths of the injected current. Results are compiled in the sounding curve.
This plot is called a sounding curve that is the base of all data inversion to obtain the
resistivity/depth structure of the ground. In general, linear electrode configurations are
used for resistivity measurements. Common configurations are the Schlumberger,
Wenner, and Dipole-Dipole spreads. Because of practical and methodical advantages,
vertical electrical soundings mostly use the symmetrical Schlumberger configuration
where the voltage electrodes are closely spaced and fixed to the center of the array and
the current electrodes move outwards.

1.2.2. Field procedure and Instrumentations

In the current undertakings, the Schlumberger array has been employed for the Vertical
Electrical Sounding (VES) survey. As described above, in this configuration, the current
electrodes spacing (AB) is systematically increased about a central point - the sounding
point for deeper penetration. The survey lines and the sounding points have been
selected so as to evenly cover the interesting portions of the plains and transect possible
structural features.
Maximum half-current electrode separation (AB/2) of 844 m was used to map the
subsurface to the depths of potential water bearing horizons. Concurrent plotting of the
data on the field and studying the tendency of the curves was used to decide on the
adequacy of the current electrode spacing and monitoring the data quality.

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A M N B
GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF SHASHAMANE OROMIA INDUSTRIAL PARK

Figure 1: Schlumberger array electrode configuration; A & B are Current electrodes and M & N
are Potential electrodes.

1.2.3. Instrumentation
The Vertical Electrical sounding measurements were made using the Sweden made
ABEM Terrameter LS (Lund imaging System), Earth Resistivity Meter, time domain
induced polarization (IP) and GPS signal reception which is integrated, portable and
microprocessor-based equipment, powered by a rechargeable battery and having
maximum current output of 1000mA and 6000v high voltage.
The high resolution GARMIN 60C GPS was used for position location of important
landmark and VES points.

1.2.4. VES Locations

Name Easting Northing Elevation

VES 1 456410 798957 1896
VES 2 455942 799105 1882
VES 3 455493 799145 1870
VES 4 455969 799062 1888

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Figur 2. VES location

1.3. Objectives

The main objectives of the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) resistivity surveys are:
 To determine different lithological and/or hydrogeological units according to
their resistivity contrasts
 To determine degree of weathering and fracturing of the water bearing materials,
depth and thickness of saturated zones, and thickness of the overburden or
confining layers
 To identify the geologic structures and weak zones that serve as a storage
areas or conduits for groundwater movement,
 To determine the depth to the bottom confining crystalline basement rocks/ aquiclude
whenever possible.

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2. Result Interpretation

2.1. Stacked plan maps of sliced depth sections

The geo-electrical survey comprises of four Vertical Electrical Sounding points with a
maximum current electrode separation 844m. The general variation in electrical
resistivity of the subsurface is presented in the form of sliced pseudo-depth section is
presented in figure below. The sounding points are almost evenly distributed so it is
believed to give a good representation of the ground overall.
The measured field data have been plotted along each profile line to get pseudo sections
using the apparent resistivity (ρa) and pseudo depth (AB/2) values and depict the
overall resistivity picture on a vertical section. Moreover the plan view of resistivity
variations across the area, pseudo-depth slices, for instance, AB/2= (2, 15, 47, 150, 356
and 844 m), are presented. The choice of such spacing depends on the variability
between them and to show the lateral variations of resistivity at different pseudo depth.
The knowledge on the lateral distribution of the electrical resistivity at the subsurface
shades additional light towards a complete understanding of the geological framework
of the area under investigation. Sliced depth sections, when presented in the form of
stacked plots, provide sufficient visualization of the overall picture of subsurface
electrical parameters and their variation in both lateral and vertical directions.
Moreover, it greatly facilitates ones interpretations of discontinuities in terms of
geological structure which are of great interest for hydro-geophysical analysis. From the
geological map there is also a variation horizontally as well as vertically. This stacked
depth supports the vertical and horizontal variations.
The map shows the relative variation of the apparent resistivity value of the whole area
laterally as well as vertically at different depth of the spacing of current electrodes. It
is seen that the apparent resistivity value varies considerably from 1869-1896 .m.
According to the Figure below the most interesting feature of this sliced plot is
the low resistivity zone, (<1884 Ω-m) that occupies the portion of the survey area.
Depth wise the low resistivity zone dominates the high resistivity zone.

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The overall geo-electrical picture is homogeneous, with pronounced resistivity

variations both in vertical and lateral senses. At the intermediate depth level, the top
conductive horizon, which dominates the upper-most slice, progressively narrows
with depth while the resistive signature gets broader successively. Further down, at
AB/2=844 m, the high resistivity signature tends to broaden in extent.

Figure 3: Stacked plot of sliced resistivity plan maps at various depth levels,
successively Larger current electrode separations around shashamane.

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2.2. Pseudo Depth section

The way of presenting the measured apparent resistivity values is in the form of pseudo
sections along a profile. The field data obtained from each sounding is gridded and
displayed as regular contour maps or image maps, displaying areas of anomalously high
resistive or low resistive value. So, pseudo sections are basically meant for qualitative
interpretation and show the lateral and vertical variations of electrical properties within
the sub-surface.
This pseudo depth section data is compromised from the five VES point data. The pseudo
depth section shows an extensive low resistivity subsurface over the vast portion of the
section, and the deepest region beneath each layer where low resistivity responses were
recorded.
According to this pseudo depth section, there is a lateral variation in resistivity in the
section with the prominent low resistivity exists under the three VES and the pseudo
section shows an extensive low resistivity subsurface over the portion of the section. The
vast region under the section shows extensive coverage of low resistivity zone. The
resistivity ranges (60-180 .m) of this low resistivity region are indicative of potential
water saturation. Therefore VES-1, VES-2, and VES-3 show low resistivity that ranges
averagely less than 180 .m. The maximum value of the measured apparent resistivity
does not exceed 500 .m.

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Figure-4---: Apparent resistivity pseudo-section along line

2.3. Geo-electric section

As a final analysis of the resistivity data, the VES data have been interpreted using the
appropriate software. During interpretation, a minimum root mean square percentage
of error (the discrepancy between the observed data and the synthetic data), in most
cases, ranging from 1 to 5% has been taken as acceptable. The resulting models, their
synthetic data and the corresponding fitting error are given in Annex 1. The layer
parameters (resistivity and thickness/depth of the different geo-electric layers) beneath
each sounding point have been used to construct a geo-electric section for each of the
survey profiles.
Referring from the Geo-electric layer the subsurface under this line is represented by
three geo-electric layers, under each VES which constructed from the three VES curves.
The top layer, delineated by medium resistivity response. This top sequence appears to
represent alluvial lacustrine under VES-2 &VES-3 with rock fragements under VES-
1,.the second layer Overlies slightly medium resistivity response ranging from 43-63

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.m and it appears as highly weathered and fractured tuff. These geo-electric horizon is
marked by uniformly low formation resistivity response .Mostly such vast conductive
horizons; in this area are the likely responses of fragments of highly weathered volcanic
rocks. The resistivity response of different subsurface layers provides a means of assess
their suitability to host adequate amount and potable groundwater. These geo-electric
layer is marked by heterogeneous property from VES-1 to VES-3 along the profiles
vertically and horizontally. The fourth geo-electric layer is marked by high resistivity
response under VES-3 and interoperated as massive volcanic rocks. The resistivity
values of the bottom layer under each VES also show a possible water saturated
horizon.
The resistivity response of different subsurface layers provides a means of assess their
suitability to host adequate amount and potable groundwater. The substratum which
underlies the abovementioned vast conductive layer is characterized by variable
resistivity under all VES at the deepest depth.

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Figure 5-: Geo-electric-section constructed along line

2.4. VES 4

The Schlumberger electrode configuration with maximum half-current electrode

separation (AB/2) of 844m was used for this electrical sounding survey. The Apparent
resistivity result, layer thickness and investigated depth and anticipated formation
types are tabulated below:

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Figure 6 . Smoothed curve of VES-4

Table. Interpretation result of VES-4

VES-3
Layer (Ohm-m) Thickness Depth Expected Lithology
(m)
1 133 1.2 1.2 Top soil
2 377 4.1 5.3 Paleo soil
3 66.6 5.6 10.9 Highly weathered and
fractured tuff with water
4 488 36 46.9 Welded ignimbrite
5 40.9 156 202.9 Moderately weathered and
fractured tuff
6 126 --- --- Highly fractured volcanic rock
(probably lower aquifer)

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As can be seen in table ,six geo-electric layers with different resistivity values that range
from 40.9 ohm-m to 377 ohm-m were encountered. The first layer is characterized with
high resistivity response with top soil of thickness 1.2. The second layer and the fourth
layer is characterized by very high resistivity values that ranges from 377 to 488 ohm-m.
The third layer is characterized as highly weathered and fractured tuff. The fourth layer
is characterized with high resistivity that might be welded ignimbrite. The fifth layer is
characterized as moderately weathered and fractured tuff. The bottom of this layer
which is medium resistivity value is recorded and interpreted as highly weathered &
fractured ignimbrite.
Based on geological situation observed during field work and this VES data, therefore,
the well depth to be drilled at this specific site should be up 300m to exploit the
required yields. But, the final decision shall be made by the site hydro geologist based
on actual observation while drilling.

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Table -: Summary of Apparent resistivity, thickness, and anticipated formations

Layer (Ohm- Thickness Depth Expected Lithology Estimated

m) (m) Target depth
  (M)
1 502 0.9 0.9 Alluvial lacustrine
2 43 10.5 11.4 Weathered and fractured
acidic rock
VES-1 3 479 256 267.4 Welded ignimbrite  300
  4 79 -- ---- fractured and weathered tuff  
  with possible water (probable  
  aquifer)  
1 283.3 1.5 1.5 Alluvial lacustrine
2 63.9 13 14.5 Weathered and fractured
acidic rock
VES-2 3 271.7 222.9 237.4 weathered and fractured  300
  tuff /ignimbrite  
  4 406.5 --- --- Massive rock  
   
1 189 1.2 1.2 Alluvial deposit
2 238 4 5.2 Welded ignimbrite
3 26.7 5.6 10.8 Highly fractured & weathered
tuff with water
VES-3 4 1017 42.2 53 Highly weathered and  350
  fractured tuff (Upper aquifer)  
  5 151 237 290 Fractured & weathered  
  volcanic rock  
  6 5657 --- --- Massive volcanic rock  
   
1 133 1.2 1.2 Top soil
2 377 4.1 5.3 Paleo soil?
3 66.6 5.6 10.9 Highly fractured tuff with
water
VES-4 4 488 36 46.9 Welded ignimbrite  250
   
  5 40.9 156 202.9 Highly weathered and  
  fractured tuff  
  6 126 --- --- fractured volcanic rock  
  (probably lower aquifer)  

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3. Conclusion and recomendation

 The apparent resistivity pseudo-depth sections and the true resistivity

geoelectric sections show the presence of shallow as well as deeper low
resistivity horizons which are potential zones of groundwater saturation. The
low resistivity and large thickness of these horizons is an indicator of high
groundwater potential in the study area.
 From the result of the electrical resistivity surveys, it is also seen that the area is
highly affected by tectonic forces that have resulted in major fracturing and
faulting of the rock units at varying depths. These faults and fractures are
believed to control the flow of groundwater. The fractures and weak zones
are the major controls for the flow of ground water over the area.
 The geological structures (fractures, faults and contacts) play a great role in
the movement and occurrence of the groundwater in the study area. The
highly to moderately weathered and fractured ignimbrites contribute more
for the recharge and movement of the groundwater through the fault s and
wake zones.

4. Annex1. interpreted VES curves with possible lithology

VES 1

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The Schlumberger electrode configuration with maximum half-current electrode

separation (AB/2) of 844m was used for this electrical sounding survey. The Apparent
resistivity result, layer thickness and investigated depth and anticipated formation
types are tabulated below:

Figure . Smoothed curve of VES-1

VES 2

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The Schlumberger electrode configuration with maximum half-current electrode

separation (AB/2) of 844m was used for this electrical sounding survey. The Apparent
resistivity result, layer thickness and investigated depth and anticipated formation
types are tabulated below:

Figure. Smoothed curve of VES-2

VES 3

The Schlumberger electrode configuration with maximum half-current electrode

separation (AB/2) of 844m was used for this electrical sounding survey. The Apparent
resistivity result, layer thickness and investigated depth and anticipated formation
types are tabulated below:

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Figure. Smoothed curve of VES-3

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5. Annex:2 Raw Data of Shashamane

  VES-1 VES-2 VES-3 VES-4
AB/2  (Ohm-m)  (Ohm-m)  (Ohm-m) r(Ohm-m)
2 483 225 328 180
2.66 71 324 133 145
3.56 47 138.9 180 222
4.74 32.7 109.6 214 319
4.74 178 350 332 265
6.32 84 89 247 314
8.44 62 65 127 390
11.23 70.68 71.4 592 458
15 85 84.11 117 300
20 105 104 161 317
20 76 71 89.3 229
26.6 93 91 107 233
35.6 117 118 137 247
47.4 144.7 149 180 256
63.2 179.9 157 226 278
84.4 225 186 276 290
84.4 207 187 244 243
112.4 269 211 326 257
150 300 267 324 179
200 327 270 420 124
266 338 75.2 421 82
266 331 109 455 74
356 354 260 365 64
474 345 231 118.4 56
632 333 241 116 59
844 339 338 386.2 68.7

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