Comparison of geophysical survey and diamond core drilling results in a potential basalt quarry site
Acta Scientiarum - Technology, vol.48, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 48
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v48i1.73610
- Journal Name: Acta Scientiarum - Technology
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, zbMATH
- Keywords: crushed stone, geophysical modelling, quarry site, resistivity, rock quality designation (RQD), vertical electrical sounding (VES)
- Ataturk University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study evaluated the suitability of a potential site for quarrying. Geoscientific data are needed to assess the potential of a site for quarrying. These geoscientific data are geological, geophysical, and drilling data. Diamond core drilling boreholes are drilled at 23-35 m depths in the study area. According to the diamond core drilling results, the site was not considered suitable for quarrying due to the very low core recovery of the basalts. For this reason, geophysical measurements were carried out to compare the relationship between core recoveries and resistivity values of the boreholes drilled in the study area. Resistivity measurements were made with the vertical electrical sounding (VES) methodat the exact coordinates of 5 boreholes in the study area, which have different characteristics according to the core recovery data. Resistivity measurements showed very low resistivity values, which may belong to altered basalts instead of strength basalt-type rocks. The results obtained were also checked with gravity and magnetic maps. The results of drilling and geophysical investigations were found to be entirely compatible. Thus, while the suitability of the drilling results in the study area was confirmed, it was also concluded that the suitability of a potential site for quarrying could be reliably evaluated with resistivity measurements, gravity, and magnetic data. This study demonstrates that geophysical methods (especially resistivity) can be fast, reliable, and cost-effective methods for quarry site research.