Abstract

A cluster of hot springs (350C -710C) in Bakreswar geothermal area which belongs to the Chotanagpur gneissic complex in the eastern part of Peninsular India is characterized by varying temperature and similar chemical composition. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) investigation in and around Bakreswar reveal the presence of two to four prominent lithologic layers under prevailing hydrodynamic conditions. The bottom most layer is the compact basement crystalline having mostly high resisitivity. Groundwater is mainly confined in intermediate weathered and fractured zones forming an unconfined aquifer. Lithology and groundwater conditions, as inferred from VES, as well as hydrological studies, are in agreement with the nearby borehole logs. 1 D interpretation of VES results reveals few promising groundwater potential zones in the eastern part of the region. Wenner resisitivity profiling, coupled with VES and geological studies, indicate the presence of a nearly N?S striking buried fault providing passage for hot water to emerge in the form of springs