A new approach to the electrical conductivity anomalies in the Drauzug-Bakony geological unit

Abstract

Abstract A major electrical conductivity anomaly has been detected in Transdanubia (West Hungary) in the eastern part of the Drauzug-Bakony geological unit (DBU), a collision zone of the Alpine orogeny. Assuming the source of the conductivity anomaly to be a characteristic formation of the whole DBU, long period magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were made in two regions of the western part of the DBU, in the Gail valley and in the Karawanken. The general features of this formation were studied also in order to elucidate the cause of the Transdanubian conductivity anomaly. The conductivity anomaly detected by long period MT in the Western DBU lies much deeper (12–17 km) than in Transdanubia (5–9 km). As the anomaly in both regions is associated with a well-known tectonic zone, its origin was initially explained by ionic conduction, arising from the presence of pore fluids. The very low resistivity values, the great anisotropy, the effect of charges on the H -polarized MT curves, and the anomalous magnetic field variations also indicated an increase of electronic conduction, possibly caused by graphitic rocks or ores nearer to the surface. In the Gail valley, audiomagnetotelluric measurements made in 1986 have led to the discovery of these standing blocks of graphitic shales lifted up gradually to the surface by tectonic forces from below the dolomites of the Carnic Alps. It is suggested that the same plate collision arranged the Paleozoic graphitic shales to narrow dikes in the Gail valley as well as in Transdanubia along the Balaton line and zones parallel to it.