A combined high-resolution seismic reflection and refraction survey was conducted along the Beit Netufa Valley in order to investigate shallow subsurface structure, map the depth to bedrock, and identify young faulting that may affect basin evolution and water-resource planning. An 18 km long seismic line oriented roughly east–west, fragmented into three segments due to the need to skip infrastructure and obstacles, were acquired using dense receiver and source spacing to improve vertical and lateral resolution. Reflection data were processed using standard workflows adapted for shallow targets, while first-arrival travel-time tomography (using pyGIMLi) was applied to derive near-surface velocity models.
The seismic reflection sections image a package of continuous strong reflections interpreted as a section of the Judea Group carbonates, overlain by lower-velocity valley fill. Local variations in reflector continuity, dip, and amplitude indicate deformation and thickness changes within the basin. The refraction models show a velocity transition near 2,500 m/s corresponding to the top of the section, and a deeper transition near 3,500 m/s consistent with more massive carbonate lithologies. Integration of both datasets allows mapping of the top of the bedrock depth across the lines, showing valley-fill thickness generally ranging from ~50 m to >150 m.
Three fault zones were interpreted, two principal fault systems near the eastern and western basin margins, and a third fault system within the basin, it's implication still open for discussion.
Overall, the combined use of high-resolution reflection imaging and refraction tomography provides a coherent structural framework for the Beit Netufa basin, constraining basin geometry, sediment thickness, and shallow faulting relevant to tectonic, hydrogeological and engineering applications. The results of the survey are expected to serve as a basis for both the manner in which the subsurface of the valley is divided between different hydrological basins and for the purpose of planning new production wells.
Second stage seismic acquisition is in the processing stage. A detailed stratigraphic interpretation is planned to help define the basin structure and evolution better.