29-13 Electrical Hydrogeology Investigation of Kirsch Spring, Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer, OK, USA

Session: Undergraduate Research, Part II (Posters)

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

The Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer (ASA) is the only EPA sole source aquifer in Oklahoma and serves as a critical water supply for many towns and industries across south-central Oklahoma. The ASA is a fractured karst aquifer composed of limestone, dolomite, and sandstone, where it is constrained with complex structural geology such as large fault structures. The RoyK Ranch, located within this region, overlays multiple geological formations, including the Vanoss Group and Tishomingo and Troy Granites, which are separated by faulting. Kirsch Spring is situated on the RoyK Ranch and appears to be fault controlled near the southern boundary of the aquifer. We installed a temporal electrical resistivity imaging (TERI) line of 825 meters total length with 15-meter spacing to better understand discharge and fault dynamics within this location. Additionally, we installed a transducer at Kirsch Spring that collects seasonal information on temperature and conductivity changes. Future work is anticipated to include higher resolution imaging across identified fault structures as well as temporal geophysics. This work will contribute to a better understanding of groundwater contributions to surface flows and aquifer discharge dynamics for the ASA. 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 1, 2026

© Copyright 2026 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.