Delineation of Groundwater Potential Using Electromagnetic Method in Ilawe-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria

Groundwater constitutes a critical component of the water supply system, especially in regions underlain by basement complex rocks where surface water is scarce and unreliable. The increasing demand for potable water in Ilawe-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria, has necessitated the application of geophysical techniques for groundwater exploration. This study employs the Audio Magneto Telluric (ADMT) method, a form of electromagnetic (EM) survey, to investigate the subsurface and delineate zones of groundwater potential. A total of fourteen EM profiles were surveyed across seven locations within the study area, with each profile spanning 50 meters in length and reaching a probing depth of approximately 200 meters. Data were acquired using ADMT 200S and processed into 2D imaging models to identify zones of low resistivity associated with water-bearing fractures. The findings revealed spatial variability in subsurface conductivity, indicating different groundwater potential zones across the study area. Profiles in Locations 1, 3, and 6 displayed favorable groundwater indicators, while others exhibited limited potential. The study concludes that the ADMT method is effective for groundwater exploration in basement complex terrains and recommends integrating other geophysical methods for comprehensive hydrogeological mapping.