ABSTRACT Aquifer deciphering is a multidisciplinary scientific approach used to characterize multi-layered aquifers. It involves a combination of geological and hydrological analyses to quantify and assess the sustainability of groundwater resources. The study area is located in the Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh, where an investigation was conducted to analyse the arrangement of the multi-layered aquifer group. Geologically, the area is predominantly composed of hard rock formations, primarily the Deccan Traps, followed by the Vindhyan system, Bijawars, and Archaeans. Based on data from 31 bore wells drilled in the region, key parameters such as weathered thickness, fracture zones, marker horizons (intertrappeans), vesicular basalt depth, and cumulative discharge were established concerning groundwater flow. This study provides detailed subsurface information regarding aquifer lithology and geometry, resulting in both twodimensional and three-dimensional representations of aquifer distributions, including their vertical and lateral extents, the number of flows, and their respective yields. From the analysis, a total of 27 flows were identified throughout the study area. The most productive flow is the 19th flow, found between the reduced level (RL) of 108.3 to 102.2 m above mean sea level (amsl) in the fractured basalt. The highest cumulative discharge was recorded at the Sagur well, measuring 16 litres per second (lps), followed by the Vitnera well, which showed a discharge of 13.1 lps. The 19th flow has a discharge of 9.15 lps, while the least productive flows—specifically the 3rd, 12th, 13th, and 17th—each recorded a discharge of only 0.1 lps in the fractured and weathered basalt from the Anakwadi, Amankhedi, Nimesti, Lalkhera, and Badodiya wells, located at RL levels of 669.3-663.2, 275.1-272, 264.3-261.3, 310.8-295, and 167-168.2 m amsl, respectively. Seepage was detected in three wells: Golpura, Un, and Thangaon, while no groundwater discharge was observed in the Sakargaon and Laundi wells. This study enhances our understanding of the subsurface multi-layered aquifer system, paving the way for effective sustainable management of groundwater in the district.
Udsaiya et al. (Mon,) studied this question.