Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin 

Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest

By Thomas J. Mack and Michael P. Chornack

20B.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the geohydrology of the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of 

interest (AOI) in Afghanistan identified by Peters and others (2007) (fig. 20B–1a,b). The AOI is located 

in 15 districts in east-central Afghanistan: the Hisarak, Sherzud, Khogyani, Pachir Wa Agam, 

Chaparhar, Rodat, Dih Bala, Achin, Bati Kot Shinwar, Nazyan, Dur Baba, Mumand Dara, and Lai Pur 

Districts in Nangarhar Province, and the Azra and Jaji Districts in Paktya Province. The southern part of 

the AOI is located in Pakistan (fig. 20B–1a,b). The Ghunday-Mamahel subarea occupies 252 km2

(square kilometers) and the Achin magnesite subarea occupies 564 km2 of the 5,844-km2 area of the 

AOI.

Water is needed not only to process mineral resources in Afghanistan, but also to supply existing 

communities and the associated community growth that may accompany a developing mining economy. 

Information on the climate, vegetation, topography, and demographics of the AOI is summarized to 

provide information on the seasonal availability of, and seasonal demands for, water. The geohydrology 

of the AOI is described through the use of maps of streams and irrigated areas, generalized

geohydrology and topography, and well locations. Where these data are available, the depth to water and

height of static water in wells are documented. The results of lineament analyses are presented to 

identify areas where the rock may be more fractured than in other areas, which may be an indicator of 

high relative water yield and storage in bedrock aquifers. 

Afghanistan’s recent turbulent history has left many of the traditional archival institutions in 

ruins, and most water-resource and meteorological data-collection activities had stopped by 1980. 

Recently (2011), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), foreign government agencies, and the Afghan 

government have begun water-resource investigations; however, these activities and the amount of data 

collected are limited. This report summarizes the satellite imagery and climatic, topographic, geologic, 

surface water, and groundwater data available. Geohydrologic inferences are made on the basis of an 

integrated analysis of these data and an understanding of conditions in other areas of Afghanistan. 

20B.1.1 Climate and Vegetation

Climate information for the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc AOI is based on data generated 

for the Afghanistan agricultural-meteorological (Agromet) project. Agromet was initiated by the 

U.S. Agency for International Development and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization 

in 2003 to establish data-collection stations and develop country-wide agrometeorological services. 

Scientists with the Agromet project are assisting the Afghan Government to collect and analyze 

agricultural and meteorological data as they relate to crop production, irrigation, water supply, energy, 

and aviation. The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) assumed responsibility for the operation of the 

project in 2005; by the end of August 2010, 87 Agromet stations were recording precipitation data and 

other parameters. Additionally, the Agromet project receives data from 18 Afghanistan Meteorological 

Authority (AMA) weather stations. The Agromet project has developed a database that includes data 
1436 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

collected at the Agromet stations over the past 6 years (2005–2011), data collected at the AMA weather 

stations, and historical data collected at weather stations from 1942 to 1993. Data collected as part of the 

Agromet project are compiled annually by water year (September through August) and are reported in 

the Afghanistan Agrometeorological Seasonal Bulletin (Seasonal Bulletin) published by the Ministry of 

Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock. Unless otherwise specified, the Agromet data cited in this report 

are from the agricultural season that extends from 1 September, 2009, to 31 August, 2010. 

a 
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1437

b 

Figure 20B–1. Landsat image showing the location of, and (b) place names, stream names, and streamgage 

station numbers in, the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of interest in Afghanistan.

The Jalalabad Agromet station is located in Nangarhar Province, approximately 38 km 

(kilometers) north of the center of the AOI. This station is the Agromet station that is closest to the AOI 
1438 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

for which 2009–2010 water year and long-term average (LTA) precipitation and temperature data are 

available. Precipitation and temperature data for the Jalalabad Agromet station (Ministry of Agriculture, 

Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010) are shown in table 20B–1. 

Table 20B–1. Annual, long-term annual average, and long-term average minimum and maximum precipitation 

and temperature at the Jalalabad Agrometeorological (Agromet) station 38 kilometers north of the Ghunday-Achin 

magnesite and talc area of interest, Afghanistan. ° [AOI, area of interest; km, kilometers; m, meters; mm, millimeters; C, degrees Celsius]

Precipitation Temperature

Distance 1 1 Long-term average Long-term average

Agromet from AOI Elevation 2009-2010 Monthly Station center (m) annual Monthly Minimum Maximum Annual maximum Monthly (km) (mm) minimum and and month and month ° (mm) and month mean ( C) month (mm) ° (°C) ( C) (mm) 2 3 Jalalabad 38 560 199 196.5 0.9 June 38.9 April 8.3 January 18.7 33.1 June

1

Long-term averages (LTAs) are based on data from 1942 to 1993 and 2005 to 2010 as reported in the Afghanistan 

Agrometeorological Seasonal Bulletin (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010).

2

The LTA precipitation for March is 36.2 mm.

3

The LTA temperature for July is 33°

The snow-depth map for January 2010 (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, 

map 6) indicates that snow depth in the AOI ranged from less than 2 to 10 cm (centimeters), with the 

amount of snow increasing from east to west. The snow-depth map for September 2010 (Ministry of 

Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, map 7) shows less than 2 cm of snow in the AOI. 

C.

The “Potential Natural Vegetation” described in Breckle (2007) is the vegetation cover that 

would be present if it had not been modified by human activity. Today, as a result of continued 

exploitation such as grazing, farming, and deforestation, much of the original natural vegetation is found 

only in a few remote areas of Afghanistan. The destruction of the natural vegetation has resulted in the 

degradation and erosion of the soil cover in some areas. Many areas exhibit signs of long-lasting 

desertification caused by human activity.

The vegetation in the AOI as classified by Breckle (2007, p. 161) is mostly Sclerophyllous oak 

forests. The lower elevations in the northern part of the AOI are classified as subtropical dry scrub and 

savannah and the southwest corner of the AOI is Rhododendron-Krummholz (Breckle, 2007). The high 

mountain areas along the southern border of the AOI reach elevations in excess of 4,000 m (meters) 

above sea level (asl) (Bohannon, 2005). These areas are classified as thorny cushions, subalpine and 

alpine semi deserts and meadows. There are perennial snowfields at the higher elevations. Much of the 

upland surface of the AOI is bedrock outcrop with thin alluvial cover. Azonal riverine vegetation likely 

was present in the stream valleys, but the trees have been harvested for fuel and building materials. Most 

land suitable for farming has been plowed and planted, especially along major stream valleys and some 

of the ephemeral tributary stream valleys. Irrigated fields are present in many of the valleys in the AOI 

(fig. 20B–2).

20B.1.2 Demographics

The lower elevations of the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc AOI, occupied by the city of 

Jalalabad, are densely populated, with many areas having 501 to 2,500 inhabitants per square kilometer 

as mapped by LandScan (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010) (fig. 20B–3). The city of Jalalabad is 

estimated to have more than 190,000 people (Central Statistics Organization, 2010). Higher elevation 

areas, essentially the bedrock uplands (fig. 20B–1a), have few to no inhabitants as indicated by the gray 

shading in figure 20B–3. The population density shown in figure 20B–3 has a pixel resolution of about 1 

km2

 (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010). 
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1439

20B.1.3 Topography and Geomorphology

The topography of the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc AOI consists of a northerly sloping 

high plain in the northern part of the AOI that gradually transitions to high, rugged mountain in the 

southern part (figs. 20B–1a, 20B–4) (Bohannon, 2005; Davis, 2006). The elevations along the northern 

border of the AOI range from about 450 m asl in the east to 2,000 m asl in the extreme northwest corner. 

The break in slope between the high plain and the mountain foothills is at about 1,400 m asl (Bohannon, 

2005). The highest peaks form the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The highest 

peak is mapped as being 4,520 m asl, and several other peaks are higher than 4,000 m asl. The relief 

between the high plain and the mountains is as much as 2,600 m in much of the AOI. The 

geomorphology of the high mountain areas is dominated by alpine glacial features. The international 

boundary follows an arête and there are several cirques. The high plain appears to have been formed by 

sediments discharged from the mountain streams, forming coalescing alluvial fans. The alluvial fans 

have been dissected by perennial and ephemeral streams flowing from the mountains onto the high plain 

(fig. 20B–1b and 20B–2).
1440 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 20B–2. Historical streamgage locations, digitally generated drainage network, and irrigated areas in the 

Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of interest in Afghanistan.
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1441

Figure 20B–3. Population density of the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of interest in Afghanistan.
1442 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 20B–4. Topography and generalized geohydrology of the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of 

interest in Afghanistan.
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1443

20B.2 Geohydrology

The geohydrology of Afghanistan has been described in general terms by Abdullah and 

Chmyriov (1977, book 2). As defined in their “Geology and mineral resources of Afghanistan,” the 

Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc AOI is in the “Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region 

that occupies the central part of the country with a predominantly mountain climate.” The outcrops and 

near-surface rocks in the AOI can be grouped according to their physical and hydraulic properties. The 

generalized geohydrology of the AOI is shown in figure 20B–4 with the underlying topography to allow 

examination of the geohydrology in the context of relief. Figures 20B–5a and 20B–5b show the 

generalized geohydrology without topography for a clearer depiction of the geohydrologic units. Wells 

present in the map area (discussed in the Groundwater section) are shown in figures 20B–5a and 

20B–5b. Generalized geohydrologic groups were created from a country-wide geologic coverage 

(Doebrich and Wahl, 2006) by combining sediments and rocks into major sediment- or rock-type groups 

of similar hydrologic characteristics. The geohydrologic groups in the AOI, ranked from high to low 

relative hydraulic conductivity (Freeze and Cherry, 1979, table 2.3), are “river channel; sands, 

undifferentiated; conglomerate sediments and rocks; loess and fine sediments; limestones and 

dolostones; sedimentary rocks; metamorphic rocks; and intrusive rocks and lavas” (figs. 20B–4, 20B–5a

and 20B–5b). Doebrich and Wahl (2006) used geologic maps at a scale of 1:250,000, modified from 

Russian and Afghan Geological Survey (AGS) mapping, to generate the country-wide geologic 

coverage. The 1:250,000-scale geologic map that covers this AOI is provided by Bohannon and Turner 

(2005). 

The sands, undifferentiated and the conglomerate sediments and rocks geohydrologic groups 

make up most of the high plain area. These areas, including areas north of the AOI, are extensive, but no 

information is available about the combined thickness of these units. Many wells are constructed in 

these units in this area. These two geohydrologic groups appear to be the major source of groundwater 

that is currently being used by the local inhabitants. Many perennial and ephemeral streams that begin in 

the high mountains in the southern part of the AOI flow through or discharge onto the rocks and 

sediments that make up these geohydrologic groups (figs. 20B–2, 20B–4). The potential for recharge is 

good and the proximity of these groups to sources of recharge could indicate that there may be untapped 

sources of groundwater here. The metamorphic rocks geohydrologic group is the largest geohydrologic 

group in the AOI. Most of the high mountain areas are mapped as outcrops of this unit (fig. 20B–4). If 

the metamorphic rocks are fractured, the potential for recharge and storage of groundwater is good. 

Some water-supply wells are located in this unit (fig. 20B–5a,b), but these wells are probably 

constructed in alluvial material in the valley bottoms. There are two named streams that originate in this 

unit, the Spin Khwar and the Karasu, which probably are fed by a combination of snow melt and spring 

streamflow (fig. 20B–1b). The presence of springs indicates that considerable recharge is occurring in 

this geohydrologic group. Field studies would be needed to confirm and characterize groundwater 

resources in this geohydrologic group and to investigate the presence of deeper aquifers in the sands, 

undifferentiated and conglomerate sediments and rocks geohydrologic groups. 
1444 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

a 
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1445

b 

Figure 20B–5. (a) Generalized geohydrology, mapped faults, well locations, and depth to water, and 

(b) geohydrology and height of static water in well casings in community-supply wells in the Ghunday-Achin 

magnesite and talc area of interest in Afghanistan.
1446 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

20B.2.1 Surface Water

A network of major, mostly perennial streams, modified from AIMS (Afghanistan Information 

Management Services, 1997) and VMAP1 (National Imagery and Mapping Agency, 1995), is shown in 

figure 20B–2. A network representing likely ephemeral streams, generated with a digital elevation

model (DEM), also is shown in figure 20B–2. Names of major streams and identification numbers for 

any streamgages and ungaged streamflow estimation sites in the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc 

AOI are shown in figure 20B–1b. 

There is one streamgage within the AOI. The Kabul River at Dakah streamgage station 

(Afghanistan identification number1-0.000-1M) is located in the northeast corner of the AOI 

(figs. 20B–1b, 20B–2). This station is at an elevation of 420 m asl and has a drainage area of 67,370 km2

and a period of record that extends from 21 February, 1968, to 22 July, 1980 (Olson and 

Williams-Sether, 2010). The annual mean streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0091 m3

/s/km2

(cubic meters per second per square kilometer). The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum 

monthly streamflow is high flows in the late spring through summer and low flows in winter. A 

statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in table 20B–2. 

Statistical summaries of streamflow data for all available historical gages in Afghanistan can be 

accessed at http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/water.php.

Table 20B–2. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Kabul River at Dakah

streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

Maximum Minimum Mean

Water year Water year Standard Coefficient Percentage Month Streamflow Streamflow Streamflow of of deviation of of annual (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) 3 occurrence occurrence (m /s) variation streamflow

October 310 1974 209 1975 269 35.3 0.13 3.56

November 268 1970 132 1975 217 37.2 0.17 2.88

December 248 1970 105 1975 187 37.1 0.2 2.47

January 252 1970 89.1 1975 164 43.8 0.27 2.17

February 267 1980 81.2 1975 165 50.5 0.31 2.19

March 377 1968 104 1975 234 89.3 0.38 3.10

April 1,290 1973 369 1971 651 245 0.38 8.61

May 1,880 1973 593 1977 1,020 327 0.32 13.4

June 2,230 1972 1,150 1970 1,570 404 0.26 20.8

July 2,080 1973 999 1971 1,480 355 0.24 19.6

August 1,430 1973 817 1974 1,080 188 0.17 14.3

September 763 1973 380 1974 529 118 0.22 7.00

Annual 924 1973 477 1977 614 130 0.21 100

The Surkhrud River near Sultanpur streamgage station (Afghanistan identification number 

1-5.R00-1A) is 18 km north of the AOI and approximately 9 km upstream from the confluence with the 

Kabul River (figs. 20B–1b, 20B–2). This station is at an elevation of 700 m asl and has a drainage area 

of 2,590 km2

 and a period of record that extends from 8 March, 1968, to 30 September, 1975, and from 

15 January, 1976, to 31 March, 1980 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The annual mean streamflow

per unit area for this station is 0.0010 m3

/s/km2. The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum 

monthly streamflow is high flows in the spring through early summer and low flows in fall and winter. 

A statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in 

table 20B–3. 
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1447

Table 20B–3. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Surkhrud River near 

Sultanpur streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second; ng, not reported] 

Maximum Minimum Mean

Water year Water year Standard Coefficient Percentage Month Streamflow Streamflow Streamflow of of deviation of of annual (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) 3 occurrence occurrence (m /s) variation streamflow

October 1.33 1969 0.01 1972 0.49 0.39 0.79 1.40

November 2.71 1970 0.07 1972 0.82 0.9 1.09 2.36

December 3.13 1969 0.09 1972 1.09 1.04 0.95 3.12

January 2.01 1973 0.18 1971 0.89 0.65 0.74 2.54

February 2.47 1979 0.15 1974 1.18 0.87 0.74 3.38

March 8.16 1973 0.18 1971 1.92 2.25 1.17 5.51

April 22.6 1973 0.35 1974 7.23 6.62 0.92 20.7

May 27.5 1972 0.14 1971 11.0 11.4 1.04 31.6

June 24.1 1973 0 1971 6.63 8.38 1.27 19.0

July 8.98 1973 0 ng 1.83 2.57 1.41 5.24

August 5.50 1975 0 ng 1.33 1.88 1.41 3.81

September 1.35 1972 0 ng 0.48 0.47 0.98 1.38

Annual 8.41 1973 0.15 1971 2.70 2.72 1.01 100

The Konar River at Pul-i-Kama streamgage station (Afghanistan identification 

number1-5.R00-1A) is 25 km north of the AOI and approximately 7 km upstream from the confluence 

with the Kabul River (figs. 20B–1b, 20B–2). This station is at an elevation of 555 m asl and has a 

drainage area of 26,005 km2

 and a period of record that extends from 28 December, 1966, to 30 

September, 1979 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The annual mean streamflow per unit area for this 

station is 0.018 m3

/s/km2. The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly streamflow is high 

flows in the summer and low flows in the winter and early spring. A statistical summary of monthly and 

annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in table 20B–4. 

Streamflow statistics were estimated for selected ungaged streams that may be prominent in the 

AOI or subareas to provide some probable estimates of flow for these locations. Streamflow statistics, 

presented in appendix 2, were calculated for points S29 and S30 (figs. 20B–1b and 20B–2) on selected 

streams in the AOI or subareas, using a drainage-area-ratio method (Olson and Mack, 2011) based on 

historical flows at the Harzarnaw River at Sabay streamgage station (Afghan identification number 

1-2.R00-7T) (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The Harzarnaw River at Sabay streamgage station was 

selected as the most representative historical gage for use with this method, even though it had a short 

period of record (3 full years), because of its similar drainage-area size and proximity to the estimation 

points. The estimated mean annual streamflow for point S29 (app. 2), with a drainage area of 132.6 km2, 

is about 2.6 m3/s (cubic meters per second). By applying the same method, the estimated mean annual 

streamflow at point S30 is 2.17 m3/s. The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly 

streamflow, with high flows in the summer and low flows in the winter and early spring (app. 2), 

probably is similar to that at the Surkhrud River near Sultanpur station.
1448 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Table 20B–4. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Konar River at Pul-i-Kama 

streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

Maximum Minimum Mean

Water year Water year Standard Coefficient Percentage Month Streamflow Streamflow Streamflow of of deviation of of annual (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s) 3 occurrence occurrence (m /s) variation streamflow

October 249 1979 177 1975 223 22.3 0.10 3.92

November 195 1972 113 1975 164 26.77 0.16 2.88

December 173 1970 88.2 1975 131 22.3 0.17 2.30

January 147 1970 74.8 1975 109 16.4 0.15 1.92

February 131 1970 60.2 1975 103 18.1 0.18 1.81

March 205 1969 65.0 1975 136 38.6 0.28 2.40

April 776 1973 223 1971 378 146 0.39 6.64

May 1,380 1973 408 1977 657 236 0.36 11.6

June 1,360 1968 800 1970 1,055 204 0.19 18.5

July 1,690 1973 883 1970 1,243 246 0.20 21.8

August 1,280 1973 786 1974 1,010 143 0.14 17.7

September 690 1973 335 1977 481 111 0.23 8.46

Annual 681 1973 385 1971 473 84.4 0.18 100

20B.2.2 Groundwater

More than 3,085 shallow community groundwater-supply wells have been installed in the 

Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc AOI by NGOs. Information about these wells can be found in a 

database maintained by DACAAR (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, 2011). Well-depth 

and static-water-level information is available for most of the wells in this database (figs. 20B–5a,b).

About 80 percent of the supply wells are less than 30 m deep and 95 percent are less than 50 m deep. 

The median well depth is 16.8 m. The depth to water in 60 percent of the supply wells in the AOI is less 

than 15 m (fig.20B–5a). The median depth to water is 12.8 m. 

Available well-construction information is limited; however, of the wells with construction 

information 70 percent are “tube” wells (driven wells with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing) and 30 are 

dug wells with concrete-ring casing. Wells are generally installed in unconsolidated sediments, 

completed a few meters below the depth at which water is first encountered, and equipped with a hand 

pump. Figure 20B–5b shows the height of static water in the casings of the water-supply wells (well 

depth minus static depth to water). The median height of static water in well casings is 2 m. In the AOI, 

less than 3 m of static water is present in most wells (71 percent). Such shallow wells were found to be 

vulnerable to seasonal water-level fluctuations and becoming dry for extended periods of time, or even 

permanently, in areas of the Kabul Basin where groundwater withdrawals are increasing (Mack and 

others, 2010). The eight groundwater-monitoring wells (GWMs 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 34, and 88) in or 

near the AOI (fig. 20B–5a) are monitored by DACAAR for groundwater levels and specific 

conductance. Hydrographs of water levels in GWMs in the AOI, provided by DACAAR, are shown in 

appendix 3. The hydrographs show the date in week number and year, groundwater specific conductance

in microsiemens per centimeter at 25° Celsius (μS/cm), and depth to water in meters below ground 

surface. The GWMs in the AOI are constructed in alluvial material and generally are within a few 

hundred meters of perennial or ephemeral streams. The typical seasonal range in water level is about 2 

to 3 m and the specific conductance ranged from about 350 to 1,100 μS/cm. 
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1449

20B.2.3 Lineament Analyses

Lineaments are photolinear features that could be the result of underlying zones of high-angle 

bedrock fractures, fracture zones, faults, or bedding-plane weaknesses. Lineament analyses of the 

Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc AOI (B.E. Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, unpub. data, 

2011) were conducted using DEM and natural-color satellite imagery (fig. 20B–6) and Advanced 

Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometry (ASTER) satellite imagery (fig. 20B–7a,b). 

Lineament identification and analysis have long been used as a reconnaissance tool for identifying areas 

in carbonate bedrock environments where groundwater resources are likely to be found (Lattman and 

Parizek, 1964; Siddiqui and Parizek, 1971). Lineament analysis is increasingly used to identify areas of 

high relative well yields in other bedrock settings, including crystalline bedrock (Mabee, 1999; Moore 

and others, 2002). The lineaments shown in figure 20B–6 were delineated visually, whereas those in

figure 20B–7 were delineated using an automated process and on the basis of the multispectral 

characteristics of the land surface (B.E. Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, unpub. data, 2011). 

Water wells in bedrock aquifers generally are most productive where boreholes are located in areas of 

highly fractured bedrock. Many lineaments trend to the northeast and follow drainage patterns, 

particularly in metamorphic rocks of the subareas. Areas where lineament density is high (figs. 20B–6, 

20B–7a, 20B–7b) potentially are areas where bedrock fractures are more prevalent than in other areas of 

the AOI. Lineaments provide an indication of areas that warrant further investigation for optimal 

bedrock water-well placement. Lineaments may also indicate areas of preferential flow and storage of 

groundwater, and areas with a high density of lineaments may indicate high secondary porosity. Any 

lineament analyses, including those presented in this investigation, need to be corroborated by field 

investigations and additional data to confirm the nature of the lineaments and their relation to 

water-filled bedrock fracture zones.

20B.3 Summary and Conclusions

Water resources are likely to be more available in the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of 

interest (AOI) than in other areas of Afghanistan. Water resources in the AOI and surrounding area 

consist mainly of surface water, but undiscovered groundwater resources could be available. Shallow 

alluvial aquifers in the valley bottoms of the AOI are a highly utilized groundwater resource. Most 

streams are also highly utilized by the local population and represent the primary source of water for 

irrigation. The diversion of water from the rivers to support mining activities would need to be closely 

monitored, particularly during low-flow periods, if the quantity and quality of the water resource are to 

be preserved so that surface-water flow remains sufficient to supply water for irrigation and to provide 

recharge to the aquifers that supply groundwater to the shallow wells for domestic consumption. 

There is no reported information about deep groundwater in the AOI or adjacent areas. Some 

areas of the AOI, as indicated by generalized geohydrologic maps and lineament analyses, are likely 

areas for further exploration for groundwater resources. The quality and sustainability of water resources 

in the AOI remain to be determined, however. Close monitoring and careful management of potential 

new surface-water or groundwater withdrawals would help to protect the quantity and quality of the 

existing supply for current local water uses. Field investigations including geologic mapping, 

geophysical surveys, and hydraulic well testing are needed to adequately characterize the extent and 

availability of groundwater resources in the AOI. 
1450 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 20B–6. Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter digital-elevation-model data and 

natural-color Landsat imagery in the Ghunday-Achin magnesite and talc area of interest in Afghanistan.
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1451

a 
1452 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

b 

Figure 20B–7. (a) Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter multispectral Landsat imagery, and 

(b) lineaments and lineament density based on 15-meter multispectral Landsat imagery in the Ghunday-Achin

magnesite and talc area of interest in Afghanistan.
Chapter 20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest 1453

20B.4 References Cited

Abdullah, Sh., and Chmyriov, V.M., eds. in chief, 1977, Geology and mineral resources of Afghanistan, 

book 2: Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industries, Afghanistan Geological Survey, reprinted 

2008, British Geological Survey Occasional Publications No. 15, 292 p.

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