Airborne VLF Measurements and Variations of Ground Conductivity: A Tutorial

Airborne very low frequency (VLF) data are routinely collected by national agencies and commercial companies together with other passive geophysical measurements of the static magnetic field and radiometric data. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that both standard three-component VLF and tensor VLF (TVLF) data contain a lot of useful quantitative and qualitative information about the electrical conductivity distribution in the upper few hundred meters of the crystalline basement. We first give a new derivation of the fundamental transfer functions (the tipper) used in the TVLF technique. We then show that the tipper can be estimated from simultaneous measurements of the wave magnetic fields from at least two transmitters with somewhat different frequencies, and present a simple model by which the maximum error introduced by the difference in frequencies can be found. Single transmitter scalar VLF maps emphasise those conductive structures that have dominant strikes in the direction of the transmitter. Multiple transmitter transfer functions are dependent only upon the underlying conductivity structure. Two dimensional structures can be quantitatively modelled by modern inversion methods developed originally for deep electromagnetic magnetotelluric (MT) soundings. In such cases three-component VLF measurements can be modelled easily upon appropriate rotation of the co-ordinate system to “strike” co-ordinates. Single frequency transfer functions (tippers) have real and imaginary parts that carry information on not only lateral contrasts in conductivity, as usually stated in text books, but, taken together, they provide a robust tool for determining the background conductivity level away from distinct conductors, and they can also be used to discriminate between deep and shallow conductors. Based upon simulations using multi-frequency data, it can be concluded that such a new development would dramatically increase the resolving power of airborne VLF measurements.     

Comparison between VLF and RMT methods: A combined tool for mapping conductivity changes in the sedimentary cover

We compare the resolution power of single frequency very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic data (real and imaginary parts of the tipper) and multi-frequency RadioMagnetoTelluric (RMT) data in delineating conductive structures typical for the sedimentary cover over crystalline basement in Scandinavia. Using VLF field data from five parallel profiles reveals that the estimated models have responses that fit the observed data well, and the models show an overall agreement with more detailed models derived from broadband RMT data. It is suggested that VLF data be used as a fast mapping tool to fill in the gaps between profiles along which more detailed RMT measurements are made. A generic model with conductive clay lenses and sandy formations over crystalline basement is used to generate synthetic data for the two cases. Using regularized inversion the corresponding estimated models clearly shows the strength and the weakness of both methods. Being inductive methods, they both have difficulties in clearly resolving the depth transition from conductive to resistive units. Especially the single frequency VLF data can be interpreted with very smooth models at depth. However, both methods resolve very well the lateral boundaries of the clay lenses and the RMT data also constrain the thickness of the clays quite well compared with the VLF models, which are less distinct at depth. Single frequency scalar VLF data emphasize those conductive structures that have dominant strikes in the direction of the transmitter. Multi-frequency VLF (tensor VLF) measurements provide the tipper vector which depends upon the underlying conductivity structure only. Real conductivity structures have significant 3D components which can be delineated easily by tensor VLF measurements. We propose that new VLF instrumentation be developed with this in mind.     

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.     

倾子资料三维共轭梯度反演研究

在对倾子响应和共轭梯度算法深入分析的基础上,我们实现了倾子资料三维共轭梯度反演算法.基于倾子资料的三维共轭梯度反演研究,探讨了利用倾子资料进行三维反演定量解释的方法.通过对理论模型合成数据 进行反演试算,验证了所实现的倾子资料三维共轭梯度反演算法的有效性和稳定性.该反演算法可用于对大地电磁测深和地磁测深(地震地磁台站进...     

3D joint inversion of magnetotelluric and airborne tipper data: a case study from the Morrison porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposit,British Columbia,Canada

Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic and broadband magnetotelluric data were used to determine three‐dimensional electrical resistivity models of the Morrison porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposit in British Columbia. Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic data are collected with a helicopter, thus allowing rapid surveys with uniform spatial sampling. Ground‐based magnetotelluric surveys can achieve a greater exploration depth than Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic surveys, but data collection is slower and can be limited by difficult terrain. The airborne Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic tipper data and the ground magnetotelluric tipper data show good agreement at the Morrison deposit despite differences in the data collection method, spatial sampling, and collection date. Resistivity models derived from individual inversions of the Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic tipper data and magnetotelluric impedance data contain some similar features, but the Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic model appears to lack resolution below a depth of 1 km, and the magnetotelluric model suffers from non‐uniform and relatively sparse spatial sampling. The joint Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic inversion solves these issues by combining the dense spatial sampling of the airborne Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic technique and the deeper penetration of the lower frequency magnetotelluric data. The resulting joint resistivity model correlates well with the known geology and distribution of alteration at the Morrison deposit. Higher resistivity is associated with the potassic alteration zone and volcanic country rocks, whereas areas of lower resistivity agree with known faults and sedimentary units. The pyrite halo and ≥0.3% Cu zone have the moderate resistivity that is expected of disseminated sulphides. The joint Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic inversion provides an improved resistivity model by enhancing the lateral and depth resolution of resistivity features compared with the individual Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic and magnetotelluric inversions. This case study shows that a joint Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic–magnetotelluric approach effectively images the interpreted mineralised zone at the Morrison deposit and could be beneficial in exploration for disseminated sulphides at other porphyry deposits.     

大地电磁全信息资料三维共轭梯度反演研究(英文)

在对张量阻抗数据、倾子数据和共轭梯度算法深入分析的基础上,我们实现了大地电磁全信息资料三维共轭梯度反演算法。基于全信息资料的三维共轭梯度反演研究,探讨了同时利用五个电磁场分量整理得到的大地电磁资料进行三维反演定量解释的方法以及全信息数据在三维反演中的作用。理论模型合成数据的反演结果表明,在三维反演中使用张量阻抗和倾子数据结合的全信息数据的反演结果优于只使用张量阻抗数据(或只使用倾子数据)的反演结果,提高了反演结果的分辨率和可信度。合成数据的反演算例也验证了所实现的大地电磁全信息资料三维共轭梯度反演算法的正确性和稳定性。     

华北地区上地幔及过渡带电性结构研究

采用远参考道和Robust技术,处理了华北地区14个地磁台站资料,得到了相干度超过0.8的地磁测深响应函数.并将其转换为大地电磁测深的响应函数,获取了105~107 s周期范围内的视电阻率和相位.应用ρ+理论对数据进行了一致性检验和反演,结果表明417km,850km深度附近可能存在电性间断面.同时采用基于一维最光滑模型的Occam反演方法得到了300~1000km范围的地幔电性结构,并与前人在其他地区的研究结果进行了对比.发现华北地区地幔过渡带的电导率在大兴安岭—太行山重力梯度带东西两侧表现不同,重力梯度带附近及西侧台站下方过渡带深度的电导率和北美的Tucson地区相当,而华北地区东部的电导率在地幔过渡带范围高出西侧约2~5倍,这很可能和太平洋板块的俯冲有关.     

Two-dimensional, regularised inversion of VLF data

Very low frequency electromagnetic (EM) methods using VLF transmitters have found many applications in subsurface geophysical investigations. Surface measurements involving both the vertical component of the magnetic field (VLF-EM or VLF-Z) and of the apparent resistivity (VLF-R) are increasingly common. Although extensive VLF data sets have been successfully used for mapping purposes, modelling and interpretation techniques which asess the third (i.e. depth) dimension appear limited.Given a profile of VLF-R measurements the main purpose of the present study is to demonstrate an automatic method for the construction of a resistivity cross-section. The technique used is one of a new generation of regularised inversion methods. These techniques attempt to overcome the problem of equivalence/non-uniqueness in EM sounding data by constructing the resistivity distribution with the minimum amount of structure that fits the data.VLF data represent a special case of plane-wave EM sounding in that they conform, in practice, to a single-frequency technique. This fact imposes a limitation in the amount of vertical resolution that we can expect using such data. In the case of two-dimensional modelling and inversion, resolution through the cross-section is a resultant attribute from both vertical and lateral resistivity gradients within the subsurface. In order to provide insight into the practical application of regularised inversion techniques to VLF data, both synthetic and field examples are considered. Both sets of examples are primarily concerned with VLF data applied to near-surface fault mapping where the main aim is to assess the location, dip and depth extent of conductive subsurface features.     

Resolution of airborne VLF data

The interpretation of airborne VLF data represents an important aspect of geophysical mapping of the upper few hundred meters of the Earth's crust, especially in areas with crystalline rocks. We have examined the ability of the single frequency VLF method to provide quantitative subsurface resistivity information using two generic models and standard airborne parameters with a flight altitude of 70 m and a frequency of 16 kHz. The models are long thin conductor (10 m thick, 10 Ω m resistivity and 1 km long) and a wider buried conductive dike (100 Ω m resistivity and 500 m wide). Using standard regularized inversion it turned out that for both models the conductivity of the conductors are underestimated and the vertical resolution is rather poor. The lateral positions of the minimum of the resistivity distributions coincide well with the true positions of the shallow conductors. For deeper conductors the position of the minimum resistivity moves from the edges of the conductor into the conductor. The depth to the minimum of the resistivity anomalies correlates well with the true depth to the top of the conductors although the latter is always smaller than the former.Interpretation of field airborne data collected at 70 m flight height resolved both small scale and large scale near surface conductors (conductance ∼1 S). Deeper conductors show up in the VLF data as very long wavelength anomalies that are particularly powerful in delineating the lateral boundaries of the conductors. Many of the VLF anomalies in the Stockholm area are dominated by these deep conductor responses with some near surface conductors superimposed. The deep conductors often follow topographic lows coinciding with metasediments. We interpret the frequent absence of near surface responses at 70 m flight height as a result of weak coupling between the primary VLF wave and the small scale (in all three dimensions) near-surface conductors.Radio magnetotelluric (RMT) ground measurements were carried out along a short profile coinciding with part of an airborne profile. Using data at 9 frequencies (14–250 kHz) small scale conductors in the upper few tens of meters, not identified from the airborne data, could be well resolved. Large scale deeper conductors could be identified by both methods at nearly the same positions.     

地面可控源频率测深三维非线性共轭梯度反演

讨论了地面可控源电磁勘探三维非线性共轭梯度反演的可行性以及反演过程中考虑场源的必要性.反演采用非线性共轭梯度反演方法.反演过程中,模型响应利用交错网格有限差分技术计算.反演数据采用与发射源平行的电场x分量E_x.利用层状导电模型作为背景,设计了两个理论模型进行数值试验:第一个模型中包含两个电阻率异常,以检验反演的有效性;第二个模型中,在测区外设置了一个低阻异常,以考察源的信息在反演中的作用.两个模型的反演分别从层状背景模型开始,迭代120次后终止.数值试验结果表明,(1)非线性共轭梯度反演所获得的电阻率分布和理论模型吻合较好;(2)非线性共轭梯度算法收敛速度较慢,需要较多的迭代次数完成反演;(3)对于可控源频率电磁勘探,必须考虑源位置信息.因此,本文采用考虑场源信息的地面可控源非线性共轭梯度反演方法能完成真正意义上的可控源频率电磁测深数据的反演.     

Semiautomatic and Automatic Cooperative Inversion of Seismic and Magnetotelluric Data

Natural source electromagnetic methods have the potential to recover rock property distributions from the surface to great depths. Unfortunately, results in complex 3D geo-electrical settings can be disappointing, especially where significant near-surface conductivity variations exist. In such settings, unconstrained inversion of magnetotelluric data is inexorably non-unique. We believe that: (1) correctly introduced information from seismic reflection can substantially improve MT inversion, (2) a cooperative inversion approach can be automated, and (3) massively parallel computing can make such a process viable. Nine inversion strategies including baseline unconstrained inversion and new automated/semiautomated cooperative inversion approaches are applied to industry-scale co-located 3D seismic and magnetotelluric data sets. These data sets were acquired in one of the Carlin gold deposit districts in north-central Nevada, USA. In our approach, seismic information feeds directly into the creation of sets of prior conductivity model and covariance coefficient distributions. We demonstrate how statistical analysis of the distribution of selected seismic attributes can be used to automatically extract subvolumes that form the framework for prior model 3D conductivity distribution. Our cooperative inversion strategies result in detailed subsurface conductivity distributions that are consistent with seismic, electrical logs and geochemical analysis of cores. Such 3D conductivity distributions would be expected to provide clues to 3D velocity structures that could feed back into full seismic inversion for an iterative practical and truly cooperative inversion process. We anticipate that, with the aid of parallel computing, cooperative inversion of seismic and magnetotelluric data can be fully automated, and we hold confidence that significant and practical advances in this direction have been accomplished.     

An airborne tensor VLF system. From concept to realization1

Radio signals from very low frequency (VLF) transmitters distributed world-wide have been used for several decades to study the lateral variations of the electrical conductivity in the upper few hundred metres of the earth's crust. Traditionally, in airborne applications, the total magnetic fields from one or two transmitters are measured to form the basis for construction of maps that primarily show those conductive structures that are parallel or subparallel to the direction to the transmitters. The tensor VLF technique described in this paper makes use of all signals available in a predefined frequency band to construct transfer functions relating the vertical magnetic field and the two horizontal magnetic field components. These transfer functions are uniquely determined for a particular measuring site and contain information about the lateral conductivity variations in all directions. First experiences with real field data, acquired during a test survey in Sweden, show that maps of the so-called peaker, the spatial divergence of the transfer functions, give an image of the conducting structures. Most of the structures can be correlated to small valleys filled with conducting sediments or valleys underlain by conductive fracture zones in the crystalline rocks.     

长周期大地电磁测深研究——青藏高原东部LMT响应函数及应用

长周期大地电磁(LMT)是基于常规MT理论发展起来的电磁测深技术,青藏高原东部岩石圈较厚、视电阻率较低,应用LMT方法能够弥补常规MT仪器对低频信号响应的不足,获得有用的深部信息。文中概述了LMT的数据采集、处理及反演解释,并介绍了将LMT应用于东喜马拉雅构造结及其周围地区完成的长周期观测剖面——下察隅—玉树LMT剖面的岩石圈结构探测实例。实际观测表明,在重叠频段内LMT结果与常规MT具有良好的一致性;LMT数据处理实现的阻抗和倾子估计,在深部信息上具有更高的分辨率。LMT剖面结果揭示了青藏高原东部普遍存在地下低阻体,为局部地区部分熔融和地下流体存在的可能性提供了依据。LMT测深较好地弥补了常规MT方法在巨厚岩石圈和遇到低阻体时探测深度的局限性。     

Assessment of the reliability of 2D inversion of apparent resistivity data

The reliability of inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosection data to determine accurately the true resistivity distribution over 2D structures has been investigated, using a common inversion scheme based on a smoothness‐constrained non‐linear least‐squares optimization, for the Wenner array. This involved calculation of synthetic apparent resistivity pseudosection data, which were then inverted and the model estimated from the inversion was compared with the original 2D model. The models examined include (i) horizontal layering, (ii) a vertical fault, (iii) a low‐resistivity fill within a high‐resistivity basement, and (iv) an upfaulted basement block beneath a conductive overburden. Over vertical structures, the resistivity models obtained from inversion are usually much sharper than the measured data. However, the inverted resistivities can be smaller than the lowest, or greater than the highest, true model resistivity. The substantial reduction generally recorded in the data misfit during the least‐squares inversion of 2D apparent resistivity data is not always accompanied by any noticeable reduction in the model misfit. Conversely, the model misfit may, for all practical purposes, remain invariant for successive iterations. It can also increase with the iteration number, especially where the resistivity contrast at the bedrock interface exceeds a factor of about 10; in such instances, the optimum model estimated from inversion is attained at a very low iteration number. The largest model misfit is encountered in the zone adjacent to a contact where there is a large change in the resistivity contrast. It is concluded that smooth inversion can provide only an approximate guide to the true geometry and true formation resistivity.     

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.     

上海奉城—浙江湖州长周期MT剖面揭示的深部电性结构

利用GMS-06电磁观测系统对上海奉城—浙江湖州剖面进行了大地电磁数据采集,获得了超过4000 s的高质量长周期观测数据,为沪浙地区深部电性结构研究提供了有利条件.通过反演处理,综合倾子解释结果和重磁资料以及最新的地震解释结果,在电性和断裂结构上获得了新的认识,对湖州—苏州、乌镇—马金、枫泾—川沙以及太仓—奉贤这几条深大断裂带的展布以及对区域构造格架的控制作用进行了新的评价,其中枫泾—川沙断裂是上海断隆和湖州—南通台拱之间推覆构造过渡带的控制断裂,太仓—奉贤断裂带的主体位置推断在亭林附近.同时,对高阻基底以上电性层进行了解释,揭示了岩石圈底界面的结构和构造形态,推断湖州—苏州断裂西侧存在壳内高导层.     

VLF GROUND SURVEYS,A POWERFUL TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF SHALLOW TWO-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES*

The suitability of VLF ground surveys in the investigation of shallow two-dimensional structures is analyzed. For such structures the polar formalism is derived, necessary in practice since the transmitters are generally not in the structural strike or profile. A simple vertical dike is considered to demonstrate the striking anisotropy which can be expected over such a structure, in particular the high apparent resistivity along the direction of a well-conducting dike and the low resistivity across it. The theory is then confronted with the practical example of an asymmetrical vertical dike resulting from a strike-slip fault. Modelling of the survey results is very successful and yields good confirmation of the polar behaviour. VLF ground surveys thus provide a quick and powerful tool for the study of geological accidents within about 100 m of the surface.     

用有限元法正演京津唐地区二维构造的大地电磁测深资料

本文阐述在大地电磁测深工作中,用有限单元法,模拟计算京津唐地区二维地质构造的大地电磁响应。 文章前部分,论述了用有限单元法正演二维大地电磁测深曲线的原理及其数学公式推导。文章后部分,根据两条测线实测的大地电磁测深结果并结合其它地球物理探测资料,给出了两个二维剖面模型,并计算了两种极化的视电阻率曲线。两条实测剖面分别是横切唐山地震带的马兰峪—柏各庄剖面及横过北京地区北北东构造走向的文化营—王辛庄剖面     

A PORTABLE LOCAL LOOP VLF TRANSMITTER FOR GEOLOGICAL FRACTURE MAPPING*

A portable low-power Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmitter using a large square loop antenna has been designed, assembled and tested by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) for geological studies of fracture patterns in igneous rock masses. Standard laboratory equipment, consisting of a signal generator, a 1100-W power amplifier and several high-power tuning capacitors, was used for the purpose. Field tests at the Chalk River facilities of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited have demonstrated a remarkable similarity between survey results obtained using the VLF signals from the local loop transmitter and from distant US Navy VLF transmitters. The local loop was used to simulate the fields from navy stations NAA in Cutler, Maine and NSS in Annapolis, Maryland. Conductor axes, mapped by using these navy stations, and by using the loop antenna yielded almost identical results. A survey was also done in the same area with the local loop placed in such a manner that the direction of the VLF field was at 45° to the field directions from NAA and NSS. In this case, the same conductor axes were located with only minor shifts in position, indicating that conductors whose axes lie within 45° of the direction of the primary horizontal magnetic field are mapped. Thus, it is probably sufficient to have two sources with orthogonal VLF fields to map all VLF conductors in an area. Since in most areas at least one navy VLF station can be used, the local loop transmitter can be used to generate a signal at right angles to the direction from the navy transmitter to allow a more complete VLF survey coverage.     

Experimental study of ERT monitoring ability to measure solute dispersion

This paper reports experimental measurements performed to test the ability of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) imaging to provide quantitative information about transport parameters in porous media such as the dispersivity α, the mixing front velocity u, and the retardation factor R(f) associated with the sorption or trapping of the tracers in the pore structure. The flow experiments are performed in a homogeneous porous column placed between two vertical set of electrodes. Ionic and dyed tracers are injected from the bottom of the porous media over its full width. Under such condition, the mixing front is homogeneous in the transverse direction and shows an S-shape variation in the flow direction. The transport parameters are inferred from the variation of the concentration curves and are compared with data obtained from video analysis of the dyed tracer front. The variations of the transport parameters obtained from an inversion performed by the Gauss-Newton method applied on smoothness-constrained least-squares are studied in detail. While u and R(f) show a relatively small dependence on the inversion procedure, α is strongly dependent on the choice of the inversion parameters. Comparison with the video observations allows for the optimization of the parameters; these parameters are found to be robust with respect to changes in the flow condition and conductivity contrast.