Inversions for MT data in 2D symmetrical anisotropic media

Introduction Ready and Renkin (1971) were the first to make the research on anisotropy problems in magnetotellurics (MT). The progress in the research is not evident because it is more complex and difficult than isotropic problems. Now, the one-dimensional (1D) anisotropy problems in MT have been well solved, while for the two-dimensional (2D) cases, the numerical solutions have only been obtained for some particular conditions (Ready and Renkin, 1975). As to the three-dimensional (3D) ani…     

大地电磁资料精细处理和二维反演解释技术研究(二)——反演数据极化模式选择

针对大地电磁二维反演中TE、TM极化模式的选择问题,设计了多个二维、三维模型进行了正演计算,从数据对比和反演结果对比两方面入手,分析研究了三维模型和二维模型响应数据的差异、反演中极化模式的选择、以及三维模型数据的二维反演近似等问题.研究结果表明:在三维模型条件下,利用二维模型进行反演时,TE模式对模型的二维的近似程度要求远高于TM模式;当三维结构影响较明显时,利用TM模式数据进行二维反演比利用TE模式或利用TE+TM模式联合反演都更合理,反演结果中的虚假结构明显减少;对于TM模式,相位受三维畸变影响较小,视电阻率较大,所以二维反演中可适当加大相位的权;对于实测数据的二维反演,应优先考虑采用TM模式数据进行二维反演,其次是TM+TE模式,一般不要单独采用TE模式.     

Quasi-one-dimensional method for solving the inverse magnetotelluric problem

We consider the iterative numerical method for solving two-dimensional (2D) inverse problems of magnetotelluric sounding, which significantly reduces the computational burden of the inverse problem solution in the class of quasi-layered models. The idea of the method is to replace the operator of the direct 2D problem of calculating the low-frequency electromagnetic field in a quasi-layered medium by a quasi-one dimensional operator at each observation point. The method is applicable for solving the inverse problems of magnetotellurics with either the E- and H-polarized fields and in the case when the inverse problem is simultaneously solved using the impedance values for the fields with both polarizations. We describe the numerical method and present the examples of its application to the numerical solution of a number of model inverse problems of magnetotelluric sounding.     

THE THIN-LAYER PROBLEM IN GEOELECTRICAL PROSPECTING *

For a thin highly-conducting layer with given longitudinal conductance the recurrence formulae for an n-fold horizontally stratified subsoil are established for d.c. resistivity and magnetotelluric soundings. Similarly, a thin low conductivity layer with given transverse resistance is treated in the d.c. case and a non-conducting intermediate bed in magnetotellurics. Model curves for a thin high- or low-conductivity intermediate layer in the three-layer case have been carried out, which may serve as an extension of the well-known three-layer diagrams for a Schlumberger configuration. The corresponding model curves in magnetotellurics are given. By numerical comparison of these curves with real three-layer curves some diagrams have been developed to show the allowed thicknesses of the intermediate layer in the Schlumberger case and in the case of magnetotelluric sounding.     

大地电磁局部畸变异常特征三维数值模拟研究

局部畸变问题曾经困扰大地电磁资料反演解释几十年,大地电磁三维数值模拟技术的发展为剖析局部畸变特点和得到可靠的反演成像结果提供了技术基础。本文采用三维数值模拟成像方法对典型三维局部畸变模型进行模拟分析。三维数值模拟结果显示:电场分量垂直电性分界面的极化模式视电阻率曲线(对应二维情况下TM模式)在穿越低阻异常体界面时,曲线会先上移后下移,而在穿越高阻异常体界面时,曲线会先下移后上移,这与电性分界面处积累面电荷产生的二次电场有关。三维模型中XY模式、YX模式视电阻率和相位在三维异常体附近的水平变化是呈现近似垂向对称的,该现象与电场垂直跨越电性界面时视电阻率的变化规律是吻合的,当测线分别沿X方向和Y方向展布时,三维情况下的XY和YX模式分别对应二维情况下的TM模式。低阻小异常体对区域构造响应的畸变影响比高阻小异常体要严重。低阻小异常体对二维区域响应的两种极化模式视电阻率和相位都有非常明显的畸变影响,相比较而言对TE模式的畸变要大于TM模式,因此我们在做二维反演解释时,可优先考虑拟合TM模式数据。位于小异常体中心上方测点的三维畸变响应虽然与对应真实二维区域响应的差异比较大,但可以等效于某种二维模型响应,这种由局部畸变造成的假二维响应在实际野外数据的解释中是需要注意的。      

Study of the Structure of the Shenzhen Fault Zone with the Magnetotelluric Method

The magnetotelluric sounding method was used to study the active fault in Shenzhen city.Four magnetotelluric profiles with a dense station interval were laid out across the Shenzhen fault zone.The remote reference technique was used in both data observation and processing to eliminate the electromagnetic noise near the survey sites,and relatively smooth apparent resistivity curves were obtained.TM mode data and two-dimensional inversion method as NLCG were used to obtain the electrical structures underground.According to the surficial geology survey results on regional strata and distribution of magmatic bodies and faults,the electrical structures at depths less than 2000m of each profile were interpreted.Two regional faults,the Henggang-Luohu fault and the Liantang fault,and seven local faults consistent with the electrical boundaries were verified or discovered.The strata in the survey area were then related with the change of resistivity.Electrical horizontal slices of depths less than 5000m indicate that the Henggang-Luohu fault and the Liantang fault bifurcate at the shallow part but tend to merge in the deep part.     

Electromagnetic induction in a half-space with a cylindrical inhomogeneity

Summary The problem of electromagnetic induction in a half-space with a cylindrical inhomogeneity is treated. Solutions for TE and TM polarization of the exciting electromagnetic field are given, which can be used for computing sounding and profiling curves. The anisotropy of the surface impedance is pointed out, as well as a whole series of other interesting properties of the magnetotelluric field in this model; some of them are also demonstrated on the computed theoretical curves.     

大地电磁测深二维反演方法求解复杂电性结构问题的适应性研究

为探讨二维反演方法在三维电性结构中的适应性问题,本研究中设计了一系列的二维/三维正演模型进行实验计算,分析了三维高阻/低阻异常体对模型响应的畸变作用,并从反演模式选择和数据旋转方向两个方面进行模型二维反演的对比分析,与三维反演的结果进行了比较,最后采用了实测数据进一步进行了二维和三维反演的比较实验.实验和研究结果表明,在剖面选择方面,在剖面方向与垂直主构造方向相差不大的情况下,截取剖面方向,将电性主轴旋转到垂直剖面方向的二维反演结果与垂直主构造方向的反演结果都可以较好地还原正演模型,在大的构造的反映上并无太大差异.在地下为二维或近三维条件时,正演模型的主要结构都可以较好地被二维和三维反演解析出来.二维的反演结果可能甚至会比三维的反演结果的边界更清晰,更精确.然而,对于具有较强的三维结构的模型而言,其二维反演结果与原始模型可能仍然存在较大差异,其中TM+TP或TM模式的二维反演结果相对更接近原始模型,而TE模式的结果往往会有较大误差,需要在解释时特别注意以免得出错误结论.     

Exploration of geothermal structure in Puga geothermal field, Ladakh Himalayas, India by magnetotelluric studies

To understand the crustal electric structure of the Puga geothermal field located in the Ladakh Himalayas, wide band (1000 Hz–0.001 Hz) magnetotelluric (MT) study have been carried out in the Puga area. Thirty-five MT sites were occupied with site spacing varying from 0.4 to 1 km. The measurements were carried out along three profiles oriented in east–west direction. After the preliminary analysis, the MT data were subjected to decomposition techniques. The one-dimensional inversion of the effective impedance data and the two-dimensional inversion of the TE (transverse electric) and TM (transverse magnetic) data confirm the presence of low resistive (5–25 Ω m) near surface region of 200–300 m thick in the anomalous geothermal part of the area related to the shallow geothermal reservoir. Additionally, the present study delineated an anomalous conductive zone (resistivity less than 10 Ω m) at a depth of about 2 km which is possibly related to the geothermal source in the area. A highly resistive basement layer separates the surface low resistive region and anomalous conductive part. The estimated minimum temperature at the top of conductive part is about 250 °C. The significance of the deeper conductive zone and its relation to the geothermal anomaly in the area is discussed.     

Experiments on the dynamic correction of magnetotelluric and magnetovariational data

Pathways of further development of the dynamic correction technique suggested by E. Fainberg are discussed. This technique allows the correction of magnetotelluric (MT) and magnetovariational (MV) data distorted by subsurface irregularities within a broad range of frequencies beyond the static shift interval. This paper addresses new algorithms for the dynamic correction of tensor MT and MV response functions. Moreover, experiments on the dynamic correction of MT and MV data calculated for models containing heterogeneities in sedimentary cover and infinite or half-infinite conductive crustal prism are described. Model experiments show that the dynamic correction can ensure sufficient accuracy of the input data for the reliable solution of the inverse problem of magnetotellurics.     

Possibilities of magnetotelluric methods in geophysical exploration for ore minerals

In the past decade, the applications of magnetotelluric method in the electric prospecting for ore bodies have been rapidly progressing. In the present work, we summarize the first results on this way. We discuss the specificity of the geoelectrical models in the problems of mining prospecting for ore bodies. The state-of-the-art capabilities of the method, which rely on the synchronous observation systems and the procedure of joint inversion of magnetotelluric and magnetovariational responses, are considered in the context of ore mineral exploration. The results of modeling a typical mining audio-magnetotelluric survey for ore minerals are presented. On the basis of these simulations and the data provided by in-situ soundings, the efficient approaches to the processing, analysis, and inversion of these data are discussed and illustrated. The future trends in magnetotellurics as applied to the mining prospecting are analyzed.     

A comparison of different radiomagnetotelluric data inversion methods for buried waste sites

This study deals with two-dimensional (2D) inversions of synthetic and observed radiomagnetotelluric (RMT) data on typical buried conductive waste sites in Europe, and with the practical aspects of different inversion algorithms. In the inversion calculations, we used smoothing and L2-norm stabilizers and compared the results. The resolution of the geometry of the highly conductive waste site, in particular, was investigated. In the inversion with the L2-norm stabilizer, we used the least-squares solution with singular value decomposition (LSSVD) and conjugate gradient (CG), whereas only the conjugate gradient solver was used in the 2D-inversion with the smoothing stabilizer. The inversion results of the synthetic data showed a better resolution of the geometry of the highly conductive waste site when a L2-norm stabilizer was applied in the inversion; in particular, a better detection of the bottom of the waste deposit was achieved. Additional model studies were carried out using synthetic RMT data in order to investigate the 2D inversion of RMT data observed on a 3D structure; these studies showed that the use of TM mode data yields a better resolution of the structure than joint inversion of TE and TM modes.2D inversions of RMT data on a waste site near Cologne showed that the inversion of the TM mode could resolve well the geometry, especially the bottom of the waste site, if information about the background conductivity structure was available. In this case study, inversion with the L2-norm stabilizer produced a sharper image of the waste site than inversion with the smoothing stabilizer, as indicated also by the inversion study that used synthetic data.     

Coast effect distortion of marine magnetotelluric data: Insights from a pilot study offshore northeastern Japan

We report on strong coast effect distortions observed for broadband marine magnetotelluric (MT) data collected on the forearc offshore northeastern Japan. Eight days of horizontal electric and magnetic fields recorded at eight seafloor stations and the horizontal magnetic fields from a land remote station were processed with a robust multiple-station algorithm, yielding good MT responses and inter-station transfer functions at periods of 7–10,000 s. Transverse electric (TE) mode responses have cusps in apparent resistivity and negative phases at periods around 1000 s, while the transverse magnetic (TM) mode responses are galvanically depressed below the TE responses. An analysis of inter-station transfer functions confirms that the apparent resistivity cusps are a magnetic field, rather than electric field, phenomenon, consisting of an amplitude minimum and rapid phase change around a characteristic frequency. Poynting vectors for a TE coast effect model study illustrate that the anomalous phases are associated with energy diffusing back up to the seafloor from below, after being turned around from its usual downward propagating trajectory by inductive coupling between the conductive ocean and the resistive seafloor along the continental margin. We show that the characteristic frequency and position of the TE mode apparent resistivity cusps are determined by a relatively simple combination of the electrical resistivity of the seafloor, the depth of the ocean, and the distance from the coastline. By including coastlines and bathymetry in 2D inversion, we recover the seafloor conductivity structure along the forearc, demonstrating that broadband data can constrain the thickness of conductive forearc sediments and the underlying high resistivity associated with the mantle wedge and subducting oceanic lithosphere.     

CSRMT measurements in the frequency range of 1–250 kHz to map a normal fault in the Volvi basin, Greece

In order to gain a better understanding of the geometry of surface faults, five Controlled Source/Radio Magnetotelluric (CSRMT) profiles were measured across the Volvi basin, 45 km northeast of the city of Thessaloniki in Greece. The data were collected in two frequency ranges: a) 1–12.5 kHz using a remotely controlled double horizontal magnetic dipole transmitter (CSAMT measurements), and b) 15–250 kHz using the signal from distant radio transmitters (RMT measurements). The transition from the RMT band to the CSAMT band was smooth and continuous allowing us to combine both datasets for plane-wave modeling. The surface geology shows a predominantly 2D structure, and therefore we planned the survey into profiles perpendicular to the geological strike. We have used a 2D interpretation tool to model the data in TE, TM, TE + TM and determinant modes. Using a 4% error floor on the impedance, 2D resistivity models from inversion of the determinant data provide lower RMS data fits (4.2 and 1.2 for resistivity and phase, respectively) compared to the combined TE + TM data (4.4, 2.8, overall resistivity and phase, respectively). 2D inversion of the measured tensor data shows a sharp change in the depth to the top of resistive gneiss–schist basement that is overlain by a less resistive overburden at southern basin flanks. The change in depth to the bedrock is clearly seen in all 2D models along the measured profiles suggesting the existence of normal faults with strike directions of NE–SW to E–W. The 2D electrical resistivity models suggest that the bedrock deepens towards south-west. The resistivity models are also compared with the existing borehole information in the area and show a reasonable correlation. For example the sharp change of depth to the bedrock towards the center of the basin as seen in the resistivity models are also confirmed by the borehole data.     

额尔古纳地块东缘和兴安地块西缘电性结构研究

中国东北地区位于中亚造山带东段,夹持在西伯利亚板块、华北板块和太平洋板块之间,是解决东亚大陆构造演化的关键区域,其中额尔古纳地块和兴安地块位于东北地区西部,是两个十分重要的地质构造单元.横过额尔古纳地块东缘和兴安地块西缘的大地电磁测深剖面揭示了两块体结合带附近的深部电性结构,进而为该区构造演化提供新的电性依据.本文通过对剖面测点数据做标准化处理,并对二维偏离度、构造走向等进行计算与分析,采用非线性共轭梯度(NLCG)算法对TE+TM模式的数据做了二维反演,获得了该剖面的地壳和上地幔电性结构模型,划分出三个典型构造单元:额尔古纳地块东缘、碰撞拼合带和兴安地块西缘.研究结果表明,研究区上地壳基本呈高阻特征,可能为岩浆岩,代表其经历了多期次岩浆作用,而额尔古纳地块东缘和兴安地块西缘中下地壳的高导体反映其地壳非刚性的特点,可能形成于后期伸展环境;拼合带中下地壳存在大范围高导体并与上地幔高导体相连,指示出地幔物质上升的通道,反映出地幔物质的上升作用可能是后期构造伸展的重要动力.     

Papua New Guinea MT: looking where seismic is blind1

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Papuan fold belt is made extremely difficult by mountainous terrain, equatorial jungle and thick karstified Miocene limestones at the surface. The high-velocity karstified limestones at or near the surface often render the seismic technique useless for imaging the subsurface. In such areas magnetotellurics (MT) provides a valuable capability for mapping subsurface structure. The main structural interface which can be mapped with MT, due to the large electrical contrast, is the contact between the resistive Darai limestone and the underlying conductive sediments of the Ieru Formation. In some areas the base of the Darai can be mapped with reasonable accuracy by fitting 1D models to the observed MT data. However, in many cases where 2D and 3D effects are severe, 1D interpretations can yield dramatically incorrect results. Numerical and field data examples are presented which demonstrate the severity of the 1D errors and the improvements in accuracy which can be achieved using a 2D inverse solution. Two MT lines over adjacent anticlines, both with well control and seismic data, are used to demonstrate the application of 1D and 2D inversions for structural models. In both cases the seismic data provide no aid in the interpretations. The example over the Hides anticline illustrates a situation where 1D inversion of either TE or TM mode provides essentially the same depth to base of Darai as 2D inversion of both TE and TM. Both models provide base Darai depth estimates which are within 10% of that measured in the well. The example over the Angore anticline illustrates the inadequacy of 1D inversion in structurally complex geology complicated by electrical statics. The TE mode fits a 1D Darai thickness of 800 metres while the TM mode fits a 1D Darai thickness of 3500 metres, bracketing the thickness of 2450 metres observed in the well. The final 2D inversion model provides a depth estimate of 2250 metres. Four MT lines along the Angore anticline have been interpreted using 2D inversion. A high degree of correlation exists between lineaments observed on an airborne radar image and zones of low resistivity within the high-resistivity material interpreted as Darai limestone. These low-resistivity zones are interpreted as fault zones. Three-dimensional modelling has been used to simulate 3D statics in an otherwise 2D earth. These data were used to test the Groom-Bailey (GB) decomposition for possible benefits in reducing static effects and estimating geoelectric strike in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) field data. It has been found that the GB decomposition can provide improved regional 2D strike estimates in 3D contaminated data. However, in situations such as PNG, where the regional 2D strike is well established and hence can be fixed, the GB decomposition provides apparent resistivities identical to those simply rotated to strike.     

起伏地形下各向异性的2D大地电磁无网格法数值模拟

作为一种基于节点的计算方法,无网格法具有构造高阶导数方便,自适应分析便利的优点,特别适合复杂地质构造的数值模拟.本文针对实际地球物理勘探中存在的起伏地形和各向异性的地电结构,提出用无网格法来模拟大地电磁响应,采用复合二次径向基函数构造了形函数,推导了大地电磁无网格法等价线性方程组,研究了系数矩阵的压缩存储方法以及大型稀疏复线性方程组快速求解算法,实现了起伏地形下各向异性的2D大地电磁高精度数值模拟.基于层状模型验证了算法的正确性,计算结果表明:无论是TM模式还是TE模式,计算相对误差均小于1%;通过对地垒和地堑模型的模拟,得出了起伏地形对视电阻率和相位的影响规律;对起伏地形下含有不同各向异性系数异常体的模型进行了数值模拟,为开展复杂地质结构的电磁场特征研究以及地形校正奠定了理论基础.随着计算科学的快速发展,无网格法必将成为新的高精度电磁场数值模拟方法.     

多层球体对电磁场散射响应的求解方法

为建立多层球体对电磁场散射响应的求解方法,将球外入射电磁场分为TM和TE极化波两部分,通过求解Debye位方程可得到多层球体各层中两种极化场的通解形式,利用边界条件建立了TM波（或TE波）球面波阻抗（或导纳）的递推关系,借助于阻抗（或寻纳）导出了球体对TM波（或TE波）所产生散射场的一般表达式．文中具体求解了球体对平面波径向和横向偶极子场的散射响应．     

鄂尔多斯盆地西缘构造带北段深部电性结构

在横跨鄂尔多斯盆地西缘构造带北段的查甘池—银川—五湖洞约200 km长的东西向剖面上,进行了67个测点的大地电磁探测.使用“远参考道”和Robust技术处理数据.分析了各测点视电阻率、阻抗相位、二维偏离度、电性主轴方位角、磁实感应矢量等参数,采用NLCG二维反演方法对TE和TM两种模式的数据进行了二维反演.得到的二维电性结构表明,沿剖面查汗断裂带、贺兰山东缘断裂带和黄河断裂带是明显较大型电性边界,为超壳断裂带,而三关口断裂带深部延深不大.沿剖面阿拉善地块、贺兰山褶皱带、银川断陷盆地和鄂尔多斯地块具有明显不同的深部电性结构特征.阿拉善地块内部除浅表电阻率较低外,以下到深度约50 km都表现为高电阻特性.贺兰山褶皱带电性结构复杂,电阻率高低相间.银川盆地具有上宽下窄最深达约8 km低阻层,具有断陷盆地特征.鄂尔多斯地块具有低-高-低的深部电性结构特征,成层性较明显.     

Deep structure of the northeastern margin of the Parnaiba Basin, Brazil, from magnetotelluric imaging

The magnetotelluric (MT) method has been applied to the determination of the deep resistivity structure of the northeastern margin of the Parnaiba Basin. Transient electromagnetic (TEM) and MT data were collected in early 1999 along a 95 km long N–S line, extending from the coast across the projected subcrop position of a discontinuous fault found to the west of the study area that is believed to be a possible basin‐bounding fault. The MT data were processed to yield the TE‐ and TM‐mode responses and then corrected for static shift using central‐loop and single‐loop TEM data, respectively. Regularized 2D MT inversion was subsequently undertaken using a structured initial model with the near‐surface constrained by TEM inversion results. As a consistency check, we performed another set of 2D inversions using different smooth initial models. The various optimal 2D inversion models show clearly the presence of a major basement trough, over 2 km deep, located about 70 km from the coast. We interpret it as possibly marking the main basin margin and suggest that it may have implications for groundwater resource development in the area.