A geological interpretation of the Echuca magnetotelluric survey, Victoria

The northern part of the auriferous Bendigo Zone is obscured by thick Cenozoic sediments of the Murray Basin, and as such remains poorly explored. Consequently, in addition to the 2006 deep seismic line obtained in Central Victoria, a magnetotelluric (MT) survey was completed to provide a signature for the major structures previously defined in the Bendigo area. Based on these correlations a second MT line, which we present here, was completed some 50 km to the north of the original line in an attempt to trace the deep structural trends extending north to the Victorian/NSW border. Extending some 155 km across the central north of the state, data were collected at 52 sites along an east-west profile. The new electrical conductivity model generated correlates well with the results from the southern transect; it confirms previously identified structural trends to the north and identifies additional unknown deep structures, thus adding to the understanding of the geology of the covered region and to its gold-bearing potential.