Preliminary Report on Geophysical Data in Yavapai County, Arizona

Abstract

Recently acquired geophysical data provide information on the geologic framework and its effect of groundwater flow and on stream/aquifer interaction in Yavapai County, Arizona. High-resolution aeromagnetic data reflect diverse rock types at and below the topographic surface and have permitted a preliminary interpretation of faults and underlying rock types (in particular, volcanic) that will provide new insights on the geologic framework, critical input to future hydrologic investigations. Aeromagnetic data map the western end of the Bear Wallow Canyon fault into the sedimentary fill of Verde Valley. Regional gravity data indicate potentially significant accumulations of low-density basin fill in Big Chino, Verde, and Williamson Valleys. Electrical and seismic data were also collected and help evaluate the approximate depth and extent of recent alluvium overlying Tertiary and Paleozoic sediments. These data will be used to ascertain the potential contribution of shallow ground-water subflow that cannot be measured by gages or flow meters and whether stream flow in losing reaches is moving as subflow or is being lost to the subsurface. The geophysical data will help produce a more robust groundwater flow model of the region.

First posted October 11, 2002