Publication Name: Eromanga Basin Symposium, Summary Papers
Authors: M A HABERMEHL
Publication Volume: Adelaide, 9 - 11 November 1982
Date Published: December 1982
Number of Pages: 27
Reference Type: Conference Proceedings
Abstract:
The Eromanga Basin is a constituent sedimentary basin of the hydrogeologicalGreat Artesian Basin. A multi-layered confined aquifer system occurs in the
basin, with aquifers being present in Jurassic and Cretaceous quartzose
sandstones of continental origin . Intervening siltstones and mudstones,
partly of marine origin, form the confining beds. Recharge to the basin
occurs mainly in the eastern margin, with minor recharge originating from the
western margin. Large-scale groundwater movement is generally towards the
southwestern, southern and northwestern margins, where natural discharge occurs
from springs.
Development of the basin's artesian groundwater resources by flowing and nonflowing
artesian waterwells since about 1880 has lowered the potentiometric
surfaces of some aquifers in most areas of the basin, though a new steadystate
condition has been reached, in which total basin discharge is again
roughly balanced by recharge.
The hydrodynamics of the basin has an influence on hydrocarbon migration.
Groundwater chemistry and isotope hydrology results confirm the groundwater
movement patterns derived from hydraulic data.