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Abstract

In Mexico, arid and semi-arid areas represent more than 50% of the country’s territory, and<br>drought and desertilication represent major challenges to sustainable development. This has<br>prompted an interdisciplinary study of the Quaternary evolution of the El Fresnal valley in the<br>Chihuahua Desert (Northern Mexico). The main goal is to confirm evidence suggesting the<br>existence of less arid episodes during the late Quaternary, which could have important<br>consequence for the availability of groundwater in the area. Direct detection and characterization<br>of potential aquifers is also addressed.<br>Electrical resistivity surveying is used to help reconstruct the geometry of sedimentary deposits,<br>in particular alluvial fans. Classical 1-D soundings distributed along profiles spanning several<br>kilometers help unravel the geometry of the deposits. 2-D resistivity imaging is used to<br>investigate smaller scale features. Data inversion produces resistivity images that apparently<br>reveal details of the deposits, but as always it is important to assess the reliability of the<br>inversions.<br>Tests based on the inversion of two intersecting profiles are conducted using two distinct<br>inversion methods. Comparisons of the results are encouraging and show generally good<br>agreement between 1) different methods and 2) intersecting sections. Nonetheless, the<br>comparatively minor discrepancies observed serve as a reminder that imaging techniques must<br>be used with proper caution.

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/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609-pdb.200.2000_121
2000-02-20
2024-03-28
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http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609-pdb.200.2000_121
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