Geophysical and geochemical data for Namaksar-e-Herat salar in western Afghanistan

Passive seismic measurements, time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings, and brine and sediment samples were collected in September 2020 to characterize sediment thickness, electrical conductivity, and lithium content in surface sediment and brine in the Namaksar-e-Herat salar (a dry lake in a closed basin), in western Afghanistan. Seismic measurements were collected at nine sites in the salar with two measurements collected per site using 2 portable (hand-held) broadband seismometers. TDEM sounds were collected at 4 sites in the salar with two transmitter and receiver configurations per site. A transmitter loop size of 100 m2 was used with the receiver in the center of the loop. Surface sediment samples were collected at 9 sites, and brine samples were collected from 3 springs, in the salar. The sediment and brine samples were analyzed for lithium and 35 other selected elements.