Hydrogeophysical Characterization in a Volcanic Context From Local to Regional Scales Combining Airborne Electromagnetism and Magnetism

Abstract

AbstractIn volcanic islands, a crucial step in managing watershed water resources is the characterization of groundwater aquifers from local to regional scales. Airborne geophysical data provide high‐resolution images down to hundreds of meters below the surface, over large areas. Yet, the production of an accurate interpretation of regional geophysical imagery may be time consuming or limited by the low density of geological and hydrological field observations. Here, we propose an approach combining airborne electromagnetic and magnetic data in order to reduce geophysical ambiguities and provide a multiscale hydrogeophysical characterization of Piton des Neiges volcano (Réunion Island). With limited calibration data, this methodology produces a geological model more accurate than using airborne electromagnetic data alone. Through the continuous coverage of both methods, we demonstrate the influence of volcanic unit geometries on groundwater flows within the critical zone and we highlight major structures impacting groundwater flows at both local and regional scales.