Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 81, May 2026, pp. 85 – 98
Application of magnetic anomaly data for depicting hydrogeological model of fractured aquifer: A case study from Kutasari, Purbalingga, Indonesia
Sehah*, Abdullah Nur Aziz, Hartono, Fiqri Ramadhani Salihamidzi, Muhammad Rediko, R. Farzand Abdullatif, Lusia Silfia Pulo Boli
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Street Dr. Suparno No. 61, Purwokerto, Indonesia
* Corresponding author email address: sehah@unsoed.ac.id
Abstract: Groundwater exploration generally uses the geoelectric method which faces difficulties in injecting electric current in hard rock environments, such as volcanic formations. Therefore, this study aimed to use magnetic anomaly data to obtain hydrogeological cross-section model of fractured aquifer in a volcanic rock complex in Kutasari District, Purbalingga Regency, Indonesia. Magnetic data were acquired at 768 points across the study area. The data processing followed the standard stages up to when local magnetic anomaly data were obtained and reduced to the poles. The results showed that First Horizontal Derivative (FHD) analysis indicated a maximum horizontal gradient pattern oriented from north to south. This gradient suggests a potential groundwater flow path through fractures and cracks in the volcanic rock complex. Fractures and cracks were interpreted to form an interconnected fractured aquifer system. Furthermore, forward modeling along AB and CD trajectories on the local anomaly contour map produced two hydrogeological cross-section models. Lithology interpretation showed that fractured aquifer was in the first and second layers. The first layer of vesicular andesite lava rocks was arranged with magnetic susceptibility values of 0.001134 and 0.001451 in cgs units. These rocks possess many cavities and have experienced extensive weathering. The second layer was composed of andesite lava rocks which have many cracks and fractures, with magnetic susceptibility values of 0.034200 and 0.048230 in cgs units. The third layer (not an aquifer) was made of dense and massive andesite lava with magnetic susceptibility values of 0.059500 and 0.059320 in cgs units. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the potential of fractured aquifer in Kutasari District area to support groundwater-based irrigation programs.
Keywords: Magnetic anomaly, hydrogeological modeling, fractured aquifer, hydrogeology, Kutasari District, Indonesia
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Manuscript received 1 November 2024;
Received in revised form 26 April 2025;
Accepted 7 August 2025
Available online 29 May 2026
https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm81202608
0126-6187; 2637-109X / Published by the Geological Society of Malaysia.
© 2026 by the Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) License 4.0.
