Vertical Electrical Sounding Applied to Hydrolithological Interpretations in the Fuegian Steppe, Argentina

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to present the main hydrolithological features of an area of the northern region of Tierra del Fuego province, based on geoelectrical analyses. The surface geology is dominated by the Carmen Silva Formation (middle Miocene), composed by two members deposited on marine environments, from marginal to deltaic, and sands and gravels corresponding to Middle Pleistocene glaciofluvial fans. The geomorphological characteristics are represented by strongly-dissected low hills, plateaus, valleys and closed depressions which host semi-permanent shallow lakes. The geoelectrical prospecting allowed us to differentiate several layers based on resistivity. The shallow ones would agree with the upper member of the Carmen Silva Formation as well as the glaciofluvial deposits, and would be the unconfined aquifer. The deeper ones would correspond to the lower member of such formation and would form an aquitard.