Geophysical characterization of stratigraphical surfaces: Basin floor and sedimentological architectural elements of Las Tablas de Daimiel (Quaternary of southern-central Spain)

In this paper we analyse and compare the efficiency of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) as tools for stratigraphic and sedimentological studies. To this end, we carried out borehole drilling and geophysical survey campaigns in two locations in Las Tablas de Daimiel area (Ciudad Real, Spain). In this region, the Quaternary record is build up by siliciclastic deposits (gravel, sand and silt) of fluvial origin and organic matter-rich sediments (peat, clay and silty clay rich in organic matter) and carbonates (biogenic deposits mainly made up of Characeae) deposited in fluvial wetland environments that rest on Ordovician quartzites and Pliocene karstified carbonates. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) supported by surface and subsurface (boreholes) lithological information allow to identify the geometry of the basement-Quaternary boundary in two areas. The morphology of this boundary is controlled by fractures and the karstification of the top of the Pliocene limestones. Thirteen GPR profiles (100 and 250 MHz antenna) provide information about the morphology and internal structure of the sedimentary units, down to 4 m below the surface. The observed features include: onlap of the sediments on the edge of the basin, fossilization of small paleo-reliefs by lacustrine deposits and channel fills in the Holocene deposits, and the sinking-collapse structures in the Neogene substratum.Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Jaén, EspañaDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica y Minería, Universidad de Jaén, EspañaInstituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaDepartamento de Estratigrafía, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, EspañaCentro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas, Españ