Joint inversion of long‐offset and central‐loop transient electromagnetic data: Application to a mud volcano exploration in Perekishkul,Azerbaijan

Mud volcanism is commonly observed in Azerbaijan and the surrounding South Caspian Basin. This natural phenomenon is very similar to magmatic volcanoes but differs in one considerable aspect: Magmatic volcanoes are generally the result of ascending molten rock within the Earth's crust, whereas mud volcanoes are characterised by expelling mixtures of water, mud, and gas. The majority of mud volcanoes have been observed on ocean floors or in deep sedimentary basins, such as those found in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, their occurrences in Azerbaijan are generally closely associated with hydrocarbon reservoirs and are therefore of immense economic and geological interest. The broadside long‐offset transient electromagnetic method and the central‐loop transient electromagnetic method were applied to study the inner structure of such mud volcanoes and to determine the depth of a resistive geological formation that is predicted to contain the majority of the hydrocarbon reservoirs in the survey area. One‐dimensional joint inversion of central‐loop and long‐offset transient electromagnetic data was performed using the inversion schemes of Occam and Marquardt. By using the joint inversion models, a subsurface resistivity structure ranging from the surface to a depth of approximately 7 km was determined. Along a profile running perpendicular to the assumed strike direction, lateral resistivity variations could only be determined in the shallow depth range using the transient electromagnetic data. An attempt to resolve further two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional resistivity structures, representing possible mud migration paths at large depths using the long‐offset transient electromagnetic data, failed. Moreover, the joint inversion models led to ambiguous results regarding the depth and resistivity of the hydrocarbon target formation due to poor resolution at great depths (>5 km). Thus, 1D/2D modelling studies were subsequently performed to investigate the influence of the resistive terminating half‐space on the measured long‐offset transient electromagnetic data. The 1D joint inversion models were utilised as starting models for both the 1D and 2D modelling studies. The results tend to show that a resistive terminating half‐space, implying the presence of the target formation, is the favourable geological setting. Furthermore, the 2D modelling study aimed to fit all measured long‐offset transient electromagnetic Ex transients along the profile simultaneously. Consequently, 3125 2D forward calculations were necessary to determine the best‐fit resistivity model. The results are consistent with the 1D inversion, indicating that the data are best described by a resistive terminating half‐space, although the resistivity and depth cannot be determined clearly.     

Out‐of‐plane effects in 2D borehole‐to‐surface resistivity tomography and applications in mineral exploration

In this paper, we discuss the effects of anomalous out‐of‐plane bodies in two‐dimensional (2D) borehole‐to‐surface electrical resistivity tomography with numerical resistivity modelling and synthetic inversion tests. The results of the two groups of synthetic resistivity model tests illustrate that anomalous bodies out of the plane of interest have an effect on two‐dimensional inversion and that the degree of influence of out‐of‐plane body on inverted images varies. The different influences are derived from two cases. One case is different resistivity models with the same electrode array, and the other case is the same resistivity model with different electrode arrays. Qualitative interpretation based on the inversion tests shows that we cannot find a reasonable electrode array to determine the best inverse solution and reveal the subsurface resistivity distribution for all types of geoelectrical models. Because of the three‐dimensional effect arising from neighbouring anomalous bodies, the qualitative interpretation of inverted images from the two‐dimensional inversion of electrical resistivity tomography data without prior information can be misleading. Two‐dimensional inversion with drilling data can decrease the three‐dimensional effect. We employed two‐ and three‐dimensional borehole‐to‐surface electrical resistivity tomography methods with a pole–pole array and a bipole–bipole array for mineral exploration at Abag Banner and Hexigten Banner in Inner Mongolia, China. Different inverse schemes were carried out for different cases. The subsurface resistivity distribution obtained from the two‐dimensional inversion of the field electrical resistivity tomography data with sufficient prior information, such as drilling data and other non‐electrical data, can better describe the actual geological situation. When there is not enough prior information to carry out constrained two‐dimensional inversion, the three‐dimensional electrical resistivity tomography survey is the better choice.     

STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF MT AND AMT METHODS APPLIED TO A BASALT-COVERED AREA IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA,TURKEY*

The efficacy of the magnetotelluric and audiomagnetotelluric (MT/AMT) methods for detailing the structure of a hypothetical geological section is investigated by using the singular value decomposition (SVD) technique. The section is representative of southeastern Turkey, which is mostly covered by basalt and is a prime area for oil exploration. One of the geological units, the Germav shale at a depth of 600 m, is a problem layer for electromagnetic surveys because of its very low resistivity (on average 3 Ωm) and highly variable thickness across the area (200–900 m). In the MT frequency range (0.0004–40 Hz) its total conductance—or, since its resistivity is known from resistivity log information, its thickness—is the best resolved model parameter. The total depth to the Germav shale and the resistivity of the Cambrian/Precambrian basement are the marginally resolved parameters. In the AMT frequency range (4–10000 Hz) the resistivity of the surface basalt layer strongly affects the resolution of the other, less important, model parameters which are the total depth to the Germav shale and the total conductance of the Germav shale. The errors in the measurements determine the number of model parameters resolvable, and are also important for interpretation of the geological model parameters to within a desired accuracy. It is shown that statistical evaluation of the MT and/or AMT interpretations by using an SVD factorization of the sensitivity matrix can be helpful to define the importance of some particular stage of the interpretation, and also provides a priori knowledge to plan a proposed survey. Arrangements of MT and AMT observations, together with some Schlumberger resistivity soundings, on a large grid will certainly provide three-dimensional detailed information of the deep geoelectric structure of the area.     

Slopes of an airborne electromagnetic resistivity model interpolated jointly with borehole data for 3D geological modelling

We investigate a novel way to introduce resistivity models deriving from airborne electromagnetic surveys into regional geological modelling. Standard geometrical geological modelling can be strengthened using geophysical data. Here, we propose to extract information contained in a resistivity model in the form of local slopes that constrain the modelling of geological interfaces. The proposed method is illustrated on an airborne electromagnetic survey conducted in the region of Courtenay in France. First, a resistivity contrast corresponding to the clay/chalk interface was interpreted confronting the electromagnetic soundings to boreholes. Slopes were then sampled on this geophysical model and jointly interpolated with the clay/chalk interface documented in boreholes using an implicit 3D potential‐field method. In order to evaluate this new joint geophysical–geological model, its accuracy was compared with that of both pure geological and pure geophysical models for various borehole configurations. The proposed joint modelling yields the most accurate clay/chalk interface whatever the number and location of boreholes taken into account for modelling and validation. Compared with standard geological modelling, the approach introduces in between boreholes geometrical information derived from geophysical results. Compared with conventional resistivity interpretation of the geophysical model, it reduces drift effects and honours the boreholes. The method therefore improves what is commonly obtained with geological or geophysical data separately, making it very attractive for robust 3D geological modelling of the subsurface.     

Continuous TDEM for monitoring shale hydraulic fracturing

Monitoring and delineating the spatial distribution of shale fracturing is fundamentally important to shale gas production. Standard monitoring methods, such as time-lapse seismic, cross-well seismic and micro-seismic methods, are expensive, timeconsuming, and do not show the changes in the formation with time. The resistivities of hydraulic fracturing fluid and reservoir rocks were measured. The results suggest that the injection fluid and consequently the injected reservoir are characterized by very low resistivity and high chargeability. This allows using of the controlled-source electromagnetic method (CSEM) to monitor shale gas hydraulic fracturing. Based on the geoelectrical model which was proposed according to the well-log and seismic data in the test area the change rule of the reacted electrical field was studied to account for the change of shale resistivity, and then the normalized residual resistivity method for time lapse processing was given. The time-domain electromagnetic method (TDEM) was used to continuously monitor the shale gas fracturing at the Fulin shale gas field in southern China. A high-power transmitter and multi-channel transient electromagnetic receiver array were adopted. 9 h time series of Ex component of 224 sites which were laid out on the surface and over three fracturing stages of a horizontal well at 2800 m depth was recorded. After data processing and calculation of the normalized resistivity residuals, the changes in the Ex signal were determined and a dynamic 3D image of the change in resistivity was constructed. This allows modeling the spatial distribution of the fracturing fluid. The model results suggest that TDEM is promising for monitoring hydraulic fracturing of shale.     

Three-dimensional numerical modeling of full-space transient electromagnetic responses of water in goaf

The full-space transient electromagnetic response of water-filled goaves in coal mines were numerically modeled. Traditional numerical modeling methods cannot be used to simulate the underground full-space transient electromagnetic field. We used multiple transmitting loops instead of the traditional single transmitting loop to load the transmitting loop into Cartesian grids. We improved the method for calculating the z-component of the magnetic field based on the characteristics of full space. Then, we established the fullspace 3D geoelectrical model using geological data for coalmines. In addition, the transient electromagnetic responses of water-filled goaves of variable shape at different locations were simulated by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Moreover, we evaluated the apparent resistivity results. The numerical modeling results suggested that the resistivity differences between the coal seam and its roof and floor greatly affect the distribution of apparent resistivity, resulting in nearly circular contours with the roadway head at the center. The actual distribution of apparent resistivity for different geoelectrical models of water in goaves was consistent with the models. However, when the goaf water was located in one side, a false low-resistivity anomaly would appear on the other side owing to the full-space effect but the response was much weaker. Finally, the modeling results were subsequently confirmed by drilling, suggesting that the proposed method was effective.     

Controlled‐source electromagnetic monitoring of reservoir oil saturation using a novel borehole‐to‐surface configuration

To advance and optimize secondary and tertiary oil recovery techniques, it is essential to know the areal propagation and distribution of the injected fluids in the subsurface. We investigate the applicability of controlled‐source electromagnetic methods to monitor fluid movements in a German oilfield (Bockstedt, onshore Northwest Germany) as injected brines (highly saline formation water) have much lower electrical resistivity than the oil within the reservoir. The main focus of this study is on controlled‐source electromagnetic simulations to test the sensitivity of various source–receiver configurations. The background model for the simulations is based on two‐dimensional inversion of magnetotelluric data gathered across the oil field and calibrated with resistivity logs. Three‐dimensional modelling results suggest that controlled‐source electromagnetic methods are sensitive to resistivity changes at reservoir depths, but the effect is difficult to resolve with surface measurements only. Resolution increases significantly if sensors or transmitters can be placed in observation wells closer to the reservoir. In particular, observation of the vertical electric field component in shallow boreholes and/or use of source configurations consisting of combinations of vertical and horizontal dipoles are promising. Preliminary results from a borehole‐to‐surface controlled‐source electromagnetic field survey carried out in spring 2014 are in good agreement with the modelling studies.     

A radiomagnetotelluric survey on an oil-contaminated area near the Brazi Refinery, Romania

Scalar radiomagnetotelluric measurements were carried out on a contaminated test area close to the Brazi Refinery in Romania in order to detect and to monitor a 1 m thick oil layer expected at 5 m depth. Radio transmitters broadcasting in a frequency range from 10 kHz to 300 kHz were selected to observe the apparent resistivity and the phase data associated with the E‐ and B‐polarizations. They were located parallel and perpendicular to the assumed strike direction of the contamination plume. The data were interpreted by a 2D inversion technique from which the conductivity structure of the area was derived. The 2D inversion models of all profiles on the contaminated area show a poor‐conductivity zone above the groundwater table which could be associated with the oil contamination. A first attempt was also made to monitor the contaminated layer: the radiomagnetotelluric measurements were repeated on the same profiles a year later, but this time in a dry period, not in a rainy one. The 2D inversion results of the measurements in the dry period indicate that the high‐resistivity layer moved closer to the surface. Additional reference measurements were then carried out on a non‐contaminated area situated at a distance from the refinery, in the opposite direction to the flow of the groundwater. These reference measurements were used for the derivation of the unperturbed geology and they were also compared with the measurements of the contaminated test area. There is a significant difference in the frequency dependences of the apparent resistivities of the reference and contaminated areas, which could indicate a contamination at shallow depth. The 2D inversion results show the increase of resistivity at a depth of about 5 m beneath the contaminated area where the oil contamination is expected according to the information from the boreholes.     

闽西南多金属成矿带地质地球物理特征综合研究——以永定大排多金属矿区为例

闽西南地区位于福建武夷山成矿带西南部,自远古宙以来经历了多期次的构造演化.该区地处东南沿海构造-岩浆-成矿带上,为环太平洋大陆边缘多金属成矿带与南岭多金属成矿带复合部位,是我国重要的多金属矿产地.永定大排多金属矿区作为近年来武夷山成矿带新发现的大型多金属矿,区内叠加作用和控矿作用相对复杂,现有的地质地球物理工作程度不足以满足对该区域成矿规律的深入认识,一些基础地质问题亟待解决.因此,本文在深入收集永定大排矿区地质地球物理资料基础上,综合分析区域成矿背景与成矿构造,在重点区域布设综合地球物理勘探工作,包括1：1万高精度磁测、可控源音频大地电磁剖面及反射地震剖面.基于上述工作：1）开展了研究区航磁数据三维磁化率反演与分布特征分析与大地电磁二维电阻率反演与分布特征分析,开展了地震资料真地表深度偏移成像,获得了更加准确的地震剖面成像结果.2）结合推覆体控矿特征,地震剖面和电阻率剖面、航磁反演结果相互验证和约束,勾画了地下构造形态.地表地质剖面延伸和标定了构造形态的地质内涵,获得了从地表到3000 m深度的构造解释结果.解释结果清晰地显示了与推覆相关的构造、控矿层位以及岩体信息,为三位一体的找矿思路提供了地球物理依据.     

南海天然气水合物远景区海洋可控源电磁探测试验

为了测试我国自主设计与研发的海洋可控源电磁仪器性能及其在水合物探测中的适用性,本文从海洋可控源电磁法基本原理出发,首先根据试验海域水合物地质特征,建立简化地电模型开展理论研究,确定海洋可控源电磁试验的技术方案;利用研发的海洋可控源电磁仪器,在南海天然气水合物远景区开展探测试验,首次获得了我国深水海域的海洋可控源电磁数据.通过对采集数据进行处理与反演,获得了试验剖面的海底电性结构模型,揭示了4号测点下方存在一个50m厚的高阻层,其电阻率为25Ωm、顶部埋深为181m,为该区天然气水合物调查提供了有价值的电性参考资料.研究结果表明,自主研发的海洋可控源电磁仪器性能达到了预期的设计指标,这标志着我国海洋可控源电磁探测技术向实用化进程迈出了重要一步.     

A comparison of helicopter-borne electromagnetics in frequency- and time-domain at the Cuxhaven valley in Northern Germany

Two different airborne electromagnetic methods were applied in the same area: the frequency-domain helicopter-borne electromagnetic (HEM) system operated by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany, and the time-domain SkyTEM system of the HydroGeophysics Group at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. For verification of and comparison with the airborne methods, ground-based transient electromagnetics and 2-D resistivity surveying were carried out. The target of investigation was the Cuxhaven valley in Northern Germany, which is a significant local groundwater reservoir. The course of this buried valley was revealed by drillings and the shape was determined by reflection seismics at several cross sections.We applied electrical and electromagnetic methods to investigate the structure of the valley filling consisting of gravel, sand, silt and clay. The HEM survey clearly outlines a shallow conductor at about 20m depth and a deeper conductor below 40m depth inside the valley. This is confirmed by 2-D resistivity surveying and a drilling. The thickness of the deeper conductor, however, is not revealed due to the limited investigation depth of the HEM system. The SkyTEM survey does not resolve the shallow conductor, but it outlines the thickness of the deeper clay layer inside the valley and reveals a conductive layer at about 180m depth outside the valley. The SkyTEM results are very consistent with ground-based transient electromagnetic soundings.Airborne electromagnetic surveying in general has the advantage of fast resistivity mapping with high lateral resolution. The HEM system is cost-efficient and fast, but the more expensive and slower SkyTEM system provides a higher depth of investigation. Ground-based geophysical surveys are often more accurate, but they are definitively slower than airborne surveys. It depends on targets of interest, time, budget, and manpower available by which a method or combination of methods will be chosen. A combination of different methods is useful to obtain a detailed understanding of the subsurface resistivity distribution.     

Trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion of controlled‐source electromagnetic data in the German North Sea

This paper presents the first controlled‐source electromagnetic survey carried out in the German North Sea with a recently developed seafloor‐towed electrical dipole–dipole system, i.e., HYDRA II. Controlled‐source electromagnetic data are measured, processed, and inverted in the time domain to estimate an electrical resistivity model of the sub‐seafloor. The controlled‐source electromagnetic survey targeted a shallow, phase‐reversed, seismic reflector, which potentially indicates free gas. To compare the resistivity model to reflection seismic data and draw a combined interpretation, we apply a trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion that estimates model parameters and uncertainties, and samples probabilistically over the number of layers of the resistivity model. The controlled‐source electromagnetic data errors show time‐varying correlations, and we therefore apply a non‐Toeplitz data covariance matrix in the inversion that is estimated from residual analysis. The geological interpretation drawn from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results and borehole and reflection seismic data yield resistivities of ～1 Ωm at the seafloor, which are typical for fine‐grained marine deposits, whereas resistivities below ～20 mbsf increase to 2–4 Ωm and can be related to a transition from fine‐grained (Holocene age) to unsorted, coarse‐grained, and compacted glacial sediments (Pleistocene age). Interface depths from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion generally match the seismic reflector related to the contrast between the different depositional environments. Resistivities decrease again at greater depths to ～1 Ωm with a minimum resistivity at ～300 mbsf where a seismic reflector (that marks a major flooding surface of late Miocene age) correlates with an increased gamma‐ray count, indicating an increased amount of fine‐grained sediments. We suggest that the grain size may have a major impact on the electrical resistivity of the sediment with lower resistivities for fine‐grained sediments. Concerning the phase‐reversed seismic reflector that was targeted by the survey, controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results yield no indication for free gas below it as resistivities are generally elevated above the reflector. We suggest that the elevated resistivities are caused by an overall decrease in porosity in the glacial sediments and that the seismic reflector could be caused by an impedance contrast at a thin low‐velocity layer. Controlled‐source electromagnetic interface depths near the reflector are quite uncertain and variable. We conclude that the seismic interface cannot be resolved with the controlled‐source electromagnetic data, but the thickness of the corresponding resistive layer follows the trend of the reflector that is inclined towards the west.     

Geophysical surveys for identifying saline groundwater in the semi‐arid region of the central Altiplano,Bolivia

In the central part of the Bolivian Altiplano, the shallow groundwater presents electrical conductivities ranging from 0·1 to 20 mS/cm. In order to study the origin of this salinity pattern, a good knowledge is required of the geometry of the aquifer at depth. In this study, geophysics has been used to complement the sparse data available from drill holes. One hundred time‐domain electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings were carried out over an area of 1750 km². About 20 geological logs were available close to some of the TDEM soundings. Three intermediate results were obtained from the combined data: (i) the relationship between the electrical conductivity of the groundwater and the formation resistivity, (ii) geoelectrical cross‐sections and (iii) geoelectrical maps at various depths. The limited data set shows a relationship between resistivity and the nature of the rock. From the cross‐sections, a conductive substratum with a resistivity of less than 1 Ω·m was identified at most of the sites at depths ranging from 50 to 350 m. This substratum could be a clay‐rich formation containing brines. Using derived relationships, maps of the nature of the formation (sandy, intermediate and clayey sediments) were established at depths of 10 and 50 m. Discrimination between sand and clays was impossible where groundwater conductivity is high (>3 mS/cm). In the central part of the area, where the groundwater conductivity is low, sandy sediments are likely to be present from the surface to a depth of more than 200 m. Clayey sediments are more likely to be present in the south‐east and probably constitute a hydraulic barrier to groundwater flow. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the efficiency of the TDEM sounding method to map conductive zones. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Difficulties in determining electrical anisotropy in subsurface investigations

Surface electrical and electromagnetic methods have a limited resolution capability for determining the conductivity structure of the earth. In one-dimensional modelling a collection of many thin layers is frequently considered as one composite layer, which is then macro-anisotropic. Neither galvanic methods nor inductive methods alone can resolve the anisotropy of the ground, but a joint inversion of galvanic and inductive data may do so. The necessity of including the coefficient of anisotropy in the joint inversion of galvanic and inductive sounding data is demonstrated. An analysis is made of the combined use of geoelectrical and transient soundings to resolve the coefficient of anisotropy of a subsurface layer for varying thickness, resistivity and coefficient of anisotropy. It is found that the coefficient of anisotropy is well resolved only for layers that are many times thicker than the overburden and for coefficients of anisotropy that are not too small. The ability of the joint inversion of geoelectrical and transient sounding data to resolve macro-anisotropic layers is tested using realistic earth models determined from electrical logs.     

Delineation of Shallow Subsurface Structure by Azimuthal Resistivity Sounding and Joint Inversion of VES-TEM Data: Case Study near Lake Qaroun, El Fayoum, Egypt

An azimuthal resistivity survey was conducted at the transition zone between the desert area and the cultivated land near Lake Qaroun, Egypt. This area has been affected by an east-west trending fault system as indicated from the surface geology. Apparent resistivity values were plotted along azimuth on a polar diagram. Resistivity anomalies, for most of the AB/2 values with long axes strike in a direction parallel to the contact between the desert and cultivated lands, indicate the presence of electrical macro-anisotropy, mainly due to the faulting effect, at this area. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) measurements were conducted at eight stations along a line that crosses the boundary between the desert and cultivated land. Joint inversion of VES-TEM data was successfully used for identification of the subsurface lithostratigraphic succession and demonstrated the effect of the fault zone on the investigated subsurface medium. Apparent anisotropy coefficients at all current electrode spacings were calculated, plotted against AB/2 values and compared with the geoelectrical cross section. The effect of the fault zone was detected at AB/2 spacings equal to 100 m and extended downward and is largely related to the depth of the fault, as indicated in the constructed cross section.     

Analysing two‐dimensional effects in central loop transient electromagnetic sounding data using a semi‐synthetic tipper approach

We present a simple and feasible approach to analyse and identify two‐dimensional effects in central loop transient electromagnetic sounding data and the correspondingly derived quasi two‐dimensional conductivity models. The proposed strategy is particularly useful in minimising interpretation errors. It is based on the calculation of a semi‐synthetic transient electromagnetic tipper at each sounding and for each observational transient time point. The semi‐synthetic transient electromagnetic tipper is derived from the measured vertical component of the induced voltage and the synthetically calculated horizontal component. The approach is computationally inexpensive and involves one two‐dimensional forward calculation of an obtained quasi two‐dimensional conductivity section. Based on a synthetic example, we demonstrate that the transient electromagnetic tipper approach is applicable in identifying which transient data points and which corresponding zones in a derived quasi two‐dimensional subsurface model are affected by two‐dimensional inhomogeneities. The one‐dimensional inversion of such data leads to false models. An application of the semi‐synthetic transient electromagnetic tipper to field data from the Azraq basin in Jordan reveals that, in total, eight of 80 investigated soundings are affected by two‐dimensional structures although the field data can be fitted optimally using one‐dimensional inversion techniques. The largest semi‐synthetic tipper response occurs in a 300 m‐wide region around a strong lateral resistivity contrast. The approach is useful for analysing structural features in derived quasi two‐dimensional sections and for qualitatively investigating how these features affect the transient response. To avoid misinterpretation, these identified zones corresponding to large tipper values are excluded from the interpretation of a quasi two‐dimensional conductivity model. Based on the semi‐synthetic study, we also demonstrate that a quantitative interpretation of the horizontal voltage response (e.g. by inversion) is usually not feasible as it requires the exact sensor position to be known. Although a tipper derived purely from field data is useful as a qualitative tool for identifying two‐dimensional distortion effects, it is only feasible if the sensor setup is sufficiently accurate. Our proposed semi‐synthetic transient electromagnetic tipper approach is particularly feasible as an a posteriori approach if no horizontal components are recorded or if the sensor setup in the field is not sufficiently accurate.     

Calibrating a Salt Water Intrusion Model with Time‐Domain Electromagnetic Data

Salt water intrusion models are commonly used to support groundwater resource management in coastal aquifers. Concentration data used for model calibration are often sparse and limited in spatial extent. With airborne and ground‐based electromagnetic surveys, electrical resistivity models can be obtained to provide high‐resolution three‐dimensional models of subsurface resistivity variations that can be related to geology and salt concentrations on a regional scale. Several previous studies have calibrated salt water intrusion models with geophysical data, but are typically limited to the use of the inverted electrical resistivity models without considering the measured geophysical data directly. This induces a number of errors related to inconsistent scales between the geophysical and hydrologic models and the applied regularization constraints in the geophysical inversion. To overcome these errors, we perform a coupled hydrogeophysical inversion (CHI) in which we use a salt water intrusion model to interpret the geophysical data and guide the geophysical inversion. We refer to this methodology as a Coupled Hydrogeophysical Inversion‐State (CHI‐S), in which simulated salt concentrations are transformed to an electrical resistivity model, after which a geophysical forward response is calculated and compared with the measured geophysical data. This approach was applied for a field site in Santa Cruz County, California, where a time‐domain electromagnetic (TDEM) dataset was collected. For this location, a simple two‐dimensional cross‐sectional salt water intrusion model was developed, for which we estimated five uniform aquifer properties, incorporating the porosity that was also part of the employed petrophysical relationship. In addition, one geophysical parameter was estimated. The six parameters could be resolved well by fitting more than 300 apparent resistivities that were comprised by the TDEM dataset. Except for three sounding locations, all the TDEM data could be fitted close to a root‐mean‐square error of 1. Possible explanations for the poor fit of these soundings are the assumption of spatial uniformity, fixed boundary conditions and the neglecting of 3D effects in the groundwater model and the TDEM forward responses.     

The main structure and tectonic features of the Chernorud-Mukhor site on the western shore of Lake Baikal from TEM and SP measurements

Transient electromagnetic (TEM), self-potential (SP) and geoelectrical mapping measurements were carried out at the Chernorud-Mukhor site in the Priolkhonje area on the western shore of the Lake Baikal. All measurements were made along several profiles across the main strike of the regional Primorsky fault. TEM measurements were carried out in a time range from a few tens of microseconds to several tens of milliseconds. The most important result of the 1D modelling of TEM soundings is the discovery of nearly horizontal boundaries that divide high resistive overlying and well conducting underlying rocks. The resistivity of the former is in the range from 100 Ωm to 1000 Ωm, while the resistivity of the latter varies from less than 1 Ωm to several tens of Ωm. This good conductive zone could also be verified by geoelectrical mapping using Schlumberger array (AB/2=100 m). Due to high conductivity of the underlying rocks only the upper boundary of the conductive layer could be determined by TEM soundings. A regional SP anomaly with amplitude of about −450 mV has also been observed above the low resistivity zone indicating the electron nature of its conductance. Geologically, the conductive zone is represented by a graphite-bearing layer within the region of archean rocks. Since that layer extends over a large area, it may be used as a key in studying structures and tectonics of the Priolkhonje area. A 1D TEM geoelectric section shows a wide, gently sloping syncline as a probable base structure of the Chernorud-Mukhor site. Neotectonic faults divide the syncline into vertically displaced blocks that form a wide complicated graben with a total amplitude of about 250 m.     

电震联合法在涪陵裂隙溶洞调查中的应用研究

涪陵页岩气勘查开发区内地层以碳酸盐岩为主,地下存在裂隙、溶洞、暗河等是该区要识别、防范的重要地质隐患。本文分析了音频大地电磁法（AMT）探测和浅层纵波反射地震勘探法的特点,明确了不同方法对裂隙溶洞调查的优缺点,认为电震联合裂隙溶洞调查的方法是获得区内异常构造与电阻率、波阻抗对应关系的有效途径。通过两个应用实例,解析区内地下500 m深的地层、地质构造和裂隙溶洞水的赋存规律,勘探结果可靠,展示综合物探对碳酸盐岩岩溶地层的研究能力,推进西南岩溶缺水区物探找水技术的发展,使基础地质调查广泛应用于涪陵页岩气勘查开发及远景规划,社会效益显著。      

On the Locality of Transient Electromagnetic Soundings with a Single-Loop Configuration

The possibilities of reconstructing two-dimensional (2D) cross sections based on the data of the profile soundings by the transient electromagnetic method (TEM) with a single ungrounded loop are illustrated on three-dimensional (3D) models. The process of reconstruction includes three main steps: transformation of the responses in the depth dependence of resistivity ρ(h) measured along the profile, with their subsequent stitching into the 2D pseudo section; point-by-point one-dimensional (1D) inversion of the responses with the starting model constructed based on the transformations; and correction of the 2D cross section with the use of 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) block inversion. It is shown that single-loop TEM soundings allow studying the geological media within a local domain the lateral dimensions of which are commensurate with the depth of the investigation. The structure of the medium beyond this domain insignificantly affects the sounding results. This locality enables the TEM to reconstruct the geoelectrical structure of the medium from the 2D cross sections with the minimal distortions caused by the lack of information beyond the profile of the transient response measurements.