Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array

Natural-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) data is highly sensitive to conductive anomalies associated with mineralization. To image the three-dimensional mineralized zones in the Baogutu porphyry copper belt, Western Junggar, NW China, we deployed an AMT array consisting of 176 regularly...

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Main Authors: Bo Yang, Xiaoling Meng, Yanjun Wu, Longbin Yang, Yixian Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1519524/full
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author Bo Yang
Bo Yang
Xiaoling Meng
Xiaoling Meng
Yanjun Wu
Longbin Yang
Yixian Xu
author_facet Bo Yang
Bo Yang
Xiaoling Meng
Xiaoling Meng
Yanjun Wu
Longbin Yang
Yixian Xu
author_sort Bo Yang
collection DOAJ
description Natural-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) data is highly sensitive to conductive anomalies associated with mineralization. To image the three-dimensional mineralized zones in the Baogutu porphyry copper belt, Western Junggar, NW China, we deployed an AMT array consisting of 176 regularly distributed sites. A parallel 3D electromagnetic data inversion scheme was employed to invert this AMT dataset. Using lab-measured electrical resistivity of rock samples, we interpret the 3D resistivity model by comparing it with borehole profiles. The most pronounced conductive anomalies in the inverted model are the east-west elongate conductive zones located at the center of the array, extending to a depth of 600 m. The inverted 3D model aligns closely with the borehole results, demonstrating that the 3D inversion of a dense AMT array can provide a high-resolution and reliable model. The electrical resistivity model shows a strong correlation with the shear wave velocity model. The positive correlation between resistivity and shear wave velocity identifies the potential mineralized areas, as supported by petrophysical and drilling data, which may assist in determining future drilling targets.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-bda6237f9e7f47cb98f27df9821262b72025-08-20T01:49:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-03-011310.3389/feart.2025.15195241519524Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric arrayBo Yang0Bo Yang1Xiaoling Meng2Xiaoling Meng3Yanjun Wu4Longbin Yang5Yixian Xu6School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaJoint Laboratory of Green Geological Exploration with Zhejiang University and Inner Mongolia Geologic Survey and Research Institute, Hangzhou, ChinaInner Mongolia Geologic Survey and Research Institute, Hohhot, ChinaJoint Laboratory of Green Geological Exploration with Zhejiang University and Inner Mongolia Geologic Survey and Research Institute, Hangzhou, ChinaThe Surveying and Mapping Geographic Information Center of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, ChinaCentral South Geological Survey Institute of China Metallurgical Geology Bureau, Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, ChinaNatural-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) data is highly sensitive to conductive anomalies associated with mineralization. To image the three-dimensional mineralized zones in the Baogutu porphyry copper belt, Western Junggar, NW China, we deployed an AMT array consisting of 176 regularly distributed sites. A parallel 3D electromagnetic data inversion scheme was employed to invert this AMT dataset. Using lab-measured electrical resistivity of rock samples, we interpret the 3D resistivity model by comparing it with borehole profiles. The most pronounced conductive anomalies in the inverted model are the east-west elongate conductive zones located at the center of the array, extending to a depth of 600 m. The inverted 3D model aligns closely with the borehole results, demonstrating that the 3D inversion of a dense AMT array can provide a high-resolution and reliable model. The electrical resistivity model shows a strong correlation with the shear wave velocity model. The positive correlation between resistivity and shear wave velocity identifies the potential mineralized areas, as supported by petrophysical and drilling data, which may assist in determining future drilling targets.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1519524/fullwestern JunggarBaogutuAMTelectrical resistivity structureporphyry copper belt
spellingShingle Bo Yang
Bo Yang
Xiaoling Meng
Xiaoling Meng
Yanjun Wu
Longbin Yang
Yixian Xu
Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array
Frontiers in Earth Science
western Junggar
Baogutu
AMT
electrical resistivity structure
porphyry copper belt
title Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array
title_full Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array
title_fullStr Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array
title_full_unstemmed Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array
title_short Imaging Baogutu granitic intrusions in Western Junggar, NW China using an audio-frequency magnetotelluric array
title_sort imaging baogutu granitic intrusions in western junggar nw china using an audio frequency magnetotelluric array
topic western Junggar
Baogutu
AMT
electrical resistivity structure
porphyry copper belt
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1519524/full
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