Geological Society of America

T14 Using 3D Geological Models to Explore Geologic Processes, Assess Natural Resources and Hazards, and Meet Societal Needs

Sunday, 9 October 2022
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
205

AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DEMONSTRATE SYSTEM-SCALE MAPPING OF SUBSURFACE ARCHITECTURE

Paper number: T14-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:40 AM – 8:55 AM

Authors

Burke Minsley Presenting Author
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
James R. Rigby
Nashville, TN
Stephanie James
USGS, Denver, CO
Bethany L. Burton
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
Katherine Knierim
Lower Mississippi Gulf Water Science Center, Little Rock, AR
Bennett E. Hoogenboom
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Denver, CO
Paul Bedrosian
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Denver, CO
Wade H. Kress
Nashville, TN

Abstract

The Mississippi Alluvial Plain hosts one of the most prolific shallow aquifer systems in the United States but is experiencing chronic groundwater decline. The Reelfoot rift and New Madrid seismic zone underlie the region and represent an important and poorly understood seismic hazard. Despite its societal and economic importance, the shallow subsurface architecture has not been mapped with the spatial resolution needed for effective management. Here, we present airborne electromagnetic, magnetic, and radiometric observations, measured over nearly 80,000 flight-line-kilometers, which collectively provide a system-scale snapshot of the entire region. We develop detailed maps of aquifer connectivity and shallow geologic structure, infer relationships between structure and groundwater age, and identify previously unseen paleochannels and shallow fault structures. This dataset demonstrates how regional-scale airborne geophysics can close a scale gap in Earth observation by providing observational data at suitable scales and resolutions to improve our understanding of subsurface structures.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-380132

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