## 4 Results and Discussion
### Tectonic and Hydrogeological Implications  
This work, based on geophysical reconnaissance by VES, shows the existence at depths of a more or less conductive level corresponding to calcareous marl alternations, surmounted by a very resistant level attributed to Quaternary basalts with a thickness that reaches at least 150 m in the south-western part of the study area. These thicknesses are consistent with those found by [PERSON] and [PERSON] (2008). These basaltic formations have good hydrodynamic characteristics, which can yield significant flows depending on their degree of fracturing, and their rate of recharge [1].  
The production of qualitative geoelectrical maps in terms of apparent resistivity made it possible to identify conductive areas and resistant areas that were interpreted differently according to the different lengths of the injection line. The conductive patches were attributed to the sub-cropping of the marl and limestone bedrock formations, while the resistant patches reflected the presence of fairly thick basalts. The quantitative isohypse map of the marl-limestone bedrock roof shows, as do the geoelectrical sections, that this roof gradually dips from the south-west to the north-east. The maximum elevation of a roof at this level would be to the order of 1900 m towards the south-west of the surveyed area, and it records the coast of 1480 m towards the north-east with a difference in altitude of 420 m for a distance of 32,000 m and a gradient of 1.3%.  
The main geoelectrical characteristics extracted from the geoelectrical sections and maps, coupled with the geological information available on this area, allowed us to elaborate on the aquifer prospectivity map presented in Figure 11. The alignment of electrical discontinuities allowed the continuity of lineaments between the geoelectrical sections to be estimated and the orientation and interpretation of these lineaments in terms of faults or fractures to be deduced. These fractures show a NE-SW direction sub-parallel to the major accidents of the Middle Atlas, highlighted by numerous old works [1,7]. The work of [PERSON] and [PERSON] (2016) demonstrated that groundwater flows in the Plio-Quaternary aquifer system follow the NE-SW trend, with multi-gap faults affecting the collapsed zone of the Guigou Plain. In this sense, these physical discontinuities play a major hydrogeological role in the preferential circulation of groundwater. The local aquifer prospectivity map shown in Figure 11 outlines the potential alignment of regional faults deduced from the electrical  
Figure 10: Thematic maps: (**a**): Apparent resistivity map for AB = 80 m (**b**): Apparent resistivity map for AB = 200 m (**c**): Isohypse map of the bedrock of marl and limestone (**d**): Map of Quaternary basalt isopach.  
discontinuities (EDs). The zones of passage of these faults between the electrical sections are confirmed by the alignment of the boreholes with particularly good water flows.  
The lineaments in red correspond to the zones of passage of the electrical discontinuities. On the other hand, those in brown reflect the faulted structures as they are mapped on the ground from the structural and geological maps of the study area. Subsequently, the superposition of the results obtained allowed us to identify the most favorable areas for the installation of groundwater exploitation wells. To justify this choice, a hydrogeological survey was carried out, which showed that the position of the boreholes with a good flow rate (Q \(>\) 10 L/s) coincide with the favorable zones (see Figure 11). On the other hand, low-flow boreholes (Q \(<\) 5 L/s) are located far from favorable areas and medium-flow  
Figure 11: Aquifer prospectivity map showing the most favorable areas for drilling.  
boreholes (5 L/s < Q < 10 L/s) are located near favorable areas. The results of this study will serve as a guide to optimize the location of new wells and/or boreholes.