Applicability of existing empirical shear wave velocity correlations to seismic cone penetration test data in Christchurch New Zealand

Seismic piezocone (SCPTu) data compiled from 86 sites in the greater Christchurch, New Zealand area are used to evaluate several existing empirical correlations for predicting shear wave velocity from cone penetration test (CPT) data. It is shown that all the considered prediction models are biased towards overestimation of the shear wave velocity of the Christchurch soil deposits, demonstrating the need for a Christchurch-specific shear wave velocity prediction model (McGann et al., 2014) [1]. It is hypothesized that the unique depositional environment of the considered soils and the potential loss of soil ageing effects brought about by the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence are the primary source of the observed prediction bias.     

The use of multi-electrode resistivity imaging in gravel prospecting

We investigated the potential of using a 24-electrode resistivity imaging apparatus for rapid reconnaissance surveys for natural-aggregate accumulation. The surveys were first calibrated at sites with known geometry of sand and gravel layers, which showed that subsurface accumulation of coarse material was accurately resolved with both 2- and 4-m electrode spacing. The inverted absolute resistivity of economically viable gravel deposits varied in the range of 300–1500 Ω m, depending on variation in ground-moisture levels. The exploration surveys were then conducted at seven sites where geomorphological analyses indicated a potential for gravel. Four of these sites, where subsurface resistivity did not exceed 30–40 Ω m, were found to have very little or no coarse material. The three remaining sites showed significant accumulations of high-resistivity material, two of which were subsequently augered for verification. The results of drilling demonstrated that resistivity images were an effective indicator of the presence of coarse material in the subsurface, allowing accurate determination of subsurface distribution and thickness of sand and gravel strata. The total volume of a deposit could easily be estimated from resistivity images. The absolute quality and economic value of the material, is, however, difficult to ascertain from resistivity images alone without drilling.     

Uncertainty analysis and probabilistic segmentation of electrical resistivity images: the 2D inverse problem

In this paper, we present the uncertainty analysis of the 2D electrical tomography inverse problem using model reduction and performing the sampling via an explorative member of the Particle Swarm Optimization family, called the Regressive‐Regressive Particle Swarm Optimization. The procedure begins with a local inversion to find a good resistivity model located in the nonlinear equivalence region of the set of plausible solutions. The dimension of this geophysical model is then reduced using spectral decomposition, and the uncertainty space is explored via Particle Swarm Optimization. Using this approach, we show that it is possible to sample the uncertainty space of the electrical tomography inverse problem. We illustrate this methodology with the application to a synthetic and a real dataset coming from a karstic geological set‐up. By computing the uncertainty of the inverse solution, it is possible to perform the segmentation of the resistivity images issued from inversion. This segmentation is based on the set of equivalent models that have been sampled, and makes it possible to answer geophysical questions in a probabilistic way, performing risk analysis.     

Resolution of 2D Wenner resistivity imaging as assessed by numerical modelling

Modelling of 2D resistivity imaging was done in order to understand the principle resolution of the technique in different geological situations, and for assessing the behaviour of the interpretation methods under controlled circumstances. The Wenner array was used throughout. The results show that the 1D approximation only provides reasonable results in environments with very gradual lateral resistivity changes, otherwise the result may be strongly misleading. Inversion using the 2D quasi-Newton technique results in adequate resolution of the structures in moderately complex environments, but the Gauss–Newton method holds a significant advantage in some complicated cases. The data density can also be of crucial importance for the resolution capability, notably of narrow structures.     

地-空瞬变电磁法电阻率成像研究与应用

地-空瞬变电磁法（Semi-airborne transient electromagnetic,SATEM）凭借适应能力强、探测深度大、实时性强等特点,适用于湖泊、沼泽、山区等地形复杂地区观测.SATEM接收数据量大、精度要求高,传统成像方法基于地面视电阻率计算未考虑飞行高度,开展SATEM的高精度快速成像研究对实际运用有重要作用.针对SATEM中电性源发射装置感应电流分布,接收装置设置于空中以及两者不在相同平面的特点,本文考虑横向、纵向感应电流差异,飞行高度对视电阻率影响等因素,提出电性源SATEM电阻率成像方法.首先,基于电性源瞬变电磁场感应电流分布特征及各分量空间分布、扩散特性分析,推导出基于均匀半空间磁场与感应电压解析解,然后定义了电性源地-空瞬变电磁法早期、晚期、全期视电阻率;最后根据对感应电流分布分析定义了横向分量和纵向分量的成像深度,并研究了成像深度受飞行高度、发射磁矩、偏移距、偏移角度的影响;对煤炭采空区的实测结果表明,利用本文提出的电阻率成像方法可以更加精确定位目标体位置.

     

三维坑道直流聚焦法超前探测的电极组合研究

在坑道超前探测方法中,直流电阻率法原理和操作简单,应用前景广阔,其中侧向聚焦电阻率法应用在测井中已经成为一种常用方法.本文研究了三维坑道直流聚焦法电极组合,首先计算分析了两个同性点电源的电流分布规律,指出由于电流的相互排斥作用,电流密度在这两个点电源的中垂线下一定深度处产生最大值,这个深度与这两个点源之间的距离成正比.基于上述原理,设计出三种电极组合：四点电源、五点电源和九点电源布极方式.其次,用三维有限单元数值模拟的方法计算了上述三种电极系的空间电位分布,得出九点电源方式对电流聚束效果较好,而且当主电极电流小于屏蔽电极电流时效果最好.     

Field test to compare 3D imaging capabilities of three arrays in a site with high resistivity contrast regions

The applicability of three kinds of electrode configurations used to delineate a buried horizontal pipe was studied. A 3D resistivity imaging survey was carried out along eight parallel lines using pole-pole, pole-dipole, and dipole-dipole arrays with 1m minimum electrode spacings. Roll-along measurements were carried out to cover a rectangular grid. The 2D and 3D least squares algorithms based on the robust inversion method were used in the inversion of the apparent resistivity data sets. The 2D inversion of data sets could not delineate the orientation and dimension of the subsurface anomalies clearly. To obtain more accurate results, a 3D joint inversion of the pole-pole and pole-dipole data sets was performed, as well as of pole-pole and dipole-dipole data sets. In this case, both horizontal and vertical dimensions of subsurface structures were resolved. The resulting model obtained from each array was compared to those of joint inversion method. The result showed that the horizontal resolution does not improve so much as that in the vertical direction when joint inversion is applied.     

Phase distribution of hydrocarbons in the water column after a pelagic deep ocean oil spill

Spills from wrecks are a potential major source of pollution in the deep ocean. However, not much is known about the fate of a spill at several kilometers depth, beyond the oceans continental shelves. Here, we report the phase distribution of hydrocarbons released from the wrecks of the Prestige tanker, several years after it sank in November 2002 to depths between 3500 and 3800 m. The released oil reached the surface waters above the wrecks without any signs of weathering and leaving an homogenous signature throughout the water column. At depths of several kilometers below the sea surface, the occurrence and spread of the deep sea oil spill could be evaluated better by quantifying and characterizing the dissolved hydrocarbon signature, rather than just the investigation of hydrocarbons in the suspended particulate matter.     

A comparative study of buried structure in soil subjected to blast load using 2D and 3D numerical simulations

The response of underground structures subjected to subsurface blast is an important topic in protective engineering. Due to various constraints, pertinent experimental data are extremely scarce. Adequately detailed numerical simulation thus becomes a desirable alternative. However, the physical processes involved in the explosion and blast wave propagation are very complex, hence a realistic and detailed reproduction of the phenomena would require sophisticated numerical models for the loading and material responses. In this paper, a fully coupled numerical model is used to simulate the response of a buried concrete structure under subsurface blast, with emphasis on the comparative performance of 2D and 3D modeling schemes. The explosive charge, soil medium and the RC structure are all incorporated in a single model system. The SPH (smooth particle hydrodynamics) technique is employed to model the explosive charge and the close-in zones where large deformation takes place, while the normal FEM is used to model the remaining soil region and the buried structure. Results show that the 2D model can provide reasonably accurate results concerning the crater size, blast loading on the structure, and the critical response in the front wall. The response in the remaining part of the structure shows noticeable differences between the 2D and 3D models. Based on the simulation results, the characteristics of the in-structure shock environment are also discussed in terms of the shock response spectra.     

Inverse determination of soil density and stress state using dispersion wave measurements and cone penetration tests in a non-layered soil

The determination of the void ratio and stress state distribution in undisturbed soil is still an ambitious aim which cannot be reached by sampling from bore holes. Therefore, an alternative method is proposed to determine soil density and stress state using dispersion wave measurements and cone penetration tests. Dispersion wave measurements and resonant-column tests are carried out to measure the shear wave velocity and shear modulus distribution with depth. Using finite element calculations a relationship between cone penetration resistance, stress state and void ratio is derived. From these results the void ratio distribution and the stress state can be calculated inversely. The inverse method is applied to real test data. The results of the inverse parameter determination are shown and assessed regarding the possibilities and the limitations of the presented method.     

Enhancing imaging of the Sub-Andean Foothills geology using magnetotellurics: A case history of a 3D survey in southern Bolivia

A magnetotelluric acquisition and modelling campaign, comprising 400 full tensor soundings, was carried out in the Sub-Andean Foothills in the area located south of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The objective of the survey was to improve the imaging of the Paleozoic section and provide insight to the overall structure of the Devonian Silurian complex. The acquired data were inverted assuming both two-dimensional and three-dimensional dimensionality of the subsurface structure, adopting a multi-step iterative workflow, which began applying unconstrained inversion and introduced increasing constraints determined at each following step based on the interpretation of the latest inversion results. The geological interpretation of the final inversion results allowed to better image the expected complexity in the structures, particularly highlighting several different levels of detachment, mainly in the area of Kirusillas Formation. Furthermore, an oblique sense was identified of the main tendency of N-S deformation, related to a dextral transgressional movement that generates discrete dislocations, at a length scale of the order of a few kilometres.     

Sensitivity of transversal apparent resistivity to the changes in electrical resistivity of the elements of a 2D geoelectrical structure

The sensitivity of transversal apparent resistivity to the changes in the electrical resistivity of elements of a two-dimensional (2D) geoelectrical structure is studied by numerical modeling. This sensitivity is found to have a series of specific features, due to which the monitoring of transversal apparent resistivity can serve as a helpful addition to the monitoring of longitudinal apparent resistivity to trace the dynamics of subsurface and shallow crustal elements of the medium. It is shown that the method previously suggested for the inversion of relative changes in apparent resistivity into relative changes in electrical resistivities of the elements of the geoelectrical structure is applicable to the transversal electrical resistivity.     

Magnetotelluric resistivity modeling for 3D characterization of geothermal reservoirs in the Western side of Mt. Aso, SW Japan

Geothermal reservoirs are usually located at a depth range of 2 to 5 km, so to efficiently utilize such resources an advanced prospecting method is needed to detect these deep geologic structures. This study aimed to three-dimensionally characterize geothermal reservoirs by a combination of Magnetotelluric (MT) survey, inversion analysis of apparent resistivity, and interpolation of the resistivity data obtained. The western side of Mt. Aso crater, southwest Japan, was chosen as the case study area. Three hot springs exist there and a fault is assumed to go in the direction connecting them. A MT survey was carried out at 26 sites and the data processed by a remote reference method to reduce artificial noises. Based on skewness and Mohr circle analyses of the impedance tensor, the local geologic structure at each site could be approximated as horizontally layered and therefore, a one-dimensional inversion analysis was applied to the MT raw data. The resultant resistivity column data were then interpolated by the three-dimensional optimization principle method. The resistivity distributions obtained clarified continuous conductors with especially low resistivity (less than 10 Ω·m) at the hot springs along the fault. Because the resistivity decreases largely with an abundance of clay minerals, the conductors could be considered to correspond with the cap rocks. Thus, two geothermal reservoirs, whose shapes were estimated to be pillar, were detected under the cap rocks in an elevation range of − 1000 to − 3000 m. By comparing the resistivity distributions with the temperature distributions based on fluid-flow calculations at a steady state using FEM, the validity of the location and dimension of the estimated reservoirs were confirmed.     

地电外线路中分布电容的危害及排除

引言 云南元谋地震台的地电阻率观测外线路在最近一次检修及技术改造过程中发现，由于线路布局不合理，材料陈旧等原因，外线路间产生了分布电容效应现象。针对该问题，笔者进行了一定程度的探讨和分析，将该问题的发现及初步认识、在技改中采用的排除方法及效果，写成该文提供给大家作为台站技术工作的参考，对提高观测精度有一定的帮助。 1 线路间分布电容的产生及分析 元谋地电阻率观测始于20世纪70年代初期，设有NS，EW两个测向，外线路7 m水泥电杆8号铁线裸线架设，AB极距986 m和983 m，MN极距300 m，中心杆至台站观测室引线长约5…     

基于耦合标势与矢势的有限体积法模拟非均匀各向异性地层中多分量感应测井三维响应

为快速有效地研究、考察各向异性地层条件下多分量感应测井的响应特征,本文利用电场标势与矢势的有限体积法研制出三维频率域电磁场响应的数值模拟算法,克服由低频发射或高阻地层产生的低感应数问题,有效提高了三维电磁数值模拟算法的应用范围和计算效率.首先利用电场的标势与矢势将Maxwell方程转化为满足库仑规范条件的耦合势Helmholtz方程,以Yee氏交错非均匀网格中不同位置上的节点为中心建立四种控制体积单元,通过对控制体积单元中电磁场与电导率的积分平均实现耦合势方程和磁偶极子旋度的离散,并得到一个对角占优的大型稀疏复线性代数方程组,然后,通过不完全LU分解预处理和稳定双共轭梯度法快速求解离散方程.数值结果证明了该算法的有效性,并进一步考查了仪器偏心、倾斜井、垂直裂缝等复杂条件下多分量感应的响应特征.     

电阻率成像及浅层地震勘探在控盆构造探测中的应用——以万全断裂为例

万全断裂是洋河盆地北缘断裂带组成断裂之一,控制沿线构造活动及地貌发育。断裂走向NE,倾向SE,在沟口处隐伏于第四纪覆盖层,采用电阻率成像和浅层地震联合勘探方法,获得该断裂隐伏段落综合物探异常,结合地质地貌调查,判定隐伏段落展布的具体位置、产状、活动特征及地下结构特征等。研究结果表明,万全断裂隐伏段落走向NE,倾向SE,倾角约75°,上断点埋深约20 m,20—240 m深度可见断裂破碎带（宽约10—20 m）物探异常特征及断裂两侧地层结构差异。该联合探测模式可有效探测复杂地质构造条件下的隐伏活动断裂,具有较强实用性,值得推广。     

新沂地震台地电阻率与地下水位和降水的关系研究

由于受台址条件的限制,地电阻率观测值受到地下水位、降水等气象因素的影响。运用新沂台地电阻率月均值与地下水位、降水进行相关分析,从而对地电阻率进行校正,尽可能揭示地电阻率的真实变化。     

Spatial and temporal mapping of water in soil by magnetic resonance imaging

Experiments on model and real soil blocks designed to assess the feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging for three-dimensional mapping of the time-varying spatial distribution of water in structured soils are reported. The results show that, notwithstanding inherent problems in imaging natural soils with a significant iron content, experimental parameters can be identified which allow satisfactory images to be obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging may therefore provide important information on soil structure and water movement in dual porosity soils, with attendant benefits for the calibration of models of non-Darcian flow in such soils.     

Spatial distribution and content of soil organic matter in an agricultural field in eastern Canada,as estimated from geostatistical tools

Soil erosion induces soil redistribution within the landscape and thus contributes to the spatial variability of soil quality. This study complements a previous experimentation initiated by the authors focusing on soil redistribution as a result of soil erosion, as indicated by caesium‐137 (¹³⁷Cs) measurements, in a small agricultural field in Canada. The spatial variability of soil organic matter (SOM) was characterized using geostatistics, which consider the randomized and structured nature of spatial variables and the spatial distribution of the samples. The spatial correlation of SOM (in percentages) patterns in the topsoil was established taking into account the spatial structure present in the data. A significant autocorrelation and reliable variograms were found with a R² ≥ 0·9, thus demonstrating a strong spatial dependence. Ordinary Kriging (OK) interpolation provided the best cross validation (r² = 0·35). OK and inverse distance weighting power two (IDW2) interpolation approaches produced similar estimates of the total SOM content of the topsoil (0–20 cm) of the experimental field, i.e. 211 and 213 tonnes, respectively. However, the two approaches produced differences in the spatial distribution patterns and the relative magnitude of some SOM content classes. The spatialization of SOM and soil redistribution variability – as evidenced by ¹³⁷Cs measurements – is a first step towards the assessment of the impact of soil erosion on SOM losses to recommend conservation measures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.