Induction arrows for a buried conducting plate

A scaled electromagnetic analogue model is used to study the behaviour of single station induction arrows over a conducting plate embedded in a homogeneous poorly conducting medium. For a profile crossing the edge of the conducting plate, the in-phase arrow, for all locations, points towards the bulk of the good conductor while the quadrature arrow reverses direction directly over the edge, consistently pointing towards the edge. The results also show that both the in-phase and quadrature arrow lengths are reduced with increasing conductor thickness and depth of burial. The model results are applied to examples of a uniform depth ocean and a conducting sill embedded in a poorly conducting Earth.     

Geomagnetic variation anomaly and electric conductivity structure beneath Yunnan, China

Crossing Honghe fracture in Yunnan Province two measuring profiles were set up, each measuring profile consisted of 8 observing sites. Three component geomagnetic variation observations were carried out continuously and simultaneously along each profile. Induction arrows were calculated for the periods from 8 min to 60 min. There exists a reversal axis of induction arrow between Eryuan, Xiaguan, Weishan, Mejiang and Yongping, Yunxian, Lincang, Simao. The real arrows reverse from one side of the axis to another side and the magnitude of the real induction arrows attenuates with increase in distance from the axis, the attenuation in northeast side of the axis is slightly less than that in southwest side. The real induction arrows of shorter periods are greater than those of longer periods at most of the observing sites. According to the features of the real induction arrows and by use of numerical calculation we tried to look for the restriction which was to be attached to the possible high conductivity zone in the area under investigation. It shows that there is a high conductivity belt west of Honghe fracture which tilts northeastward and there is a high conductor cover over the high conductivity belt beneath most of the observing sites The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 201–210, 1992.     

The marine controlled source electromagnetic response of a steel borehole casing: applications for the NEPTUNE Canada gas hydrate observatory

Gas hydrates are a potential energy resource, a possible factor in climate change and an exploration geohazard. The University of Toronto has deployed a permanent seafloor time‐domain controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) system offshore Vancouver Island, within the framework of the NEPTUNE Canada underwater cabled observatory. Hydrates are known to be present in the area and due to their electrically resistive nature can be monitored by 5 permanent electric field receivers. However, two cased boreholes may be drilled near the CSEM site in the near future. To understand any potential distortions of the electric fields due to the metal, we model the marine electromagnetic response of a conductive steel borehole casing. First, we consider the commonly used canonical model consisting of a 100 Ωm, 100 m thick resistive hydrocarbon layer embedded at a depth of 1000 m in a 1 Ωm conductive host medium, with the addition of a typical steel production casing extending from the seafloor to the resistive zone. Results show that in both the frequency and time domains the distortion produced by the casing occurs at smaller transmitter‐receiver offsets than the offsets required to detect the resistive layer. Second, we consider the experimentally determined model of the offshore Vancouver Island hydrate zone, consisting of a 5.5 Ωm, 36 m thick hydrate layer overlying a 0.7 Ωm sedimentary half‐space, with the addition of two borehole casings extending 300 m into the seafloor. In this case, results show that the distortion produced by casings located within a 100 m safety zone of the CSEM system will be measured at 4 of the 5 receivers. We conclude that the boreholes must be positioned at least 200 m away from the CSEM array so as to minimize the effects of the casings.     

导体边缘附近虚感应矢量性质的数值模型研究

本文用E极化的二维有限元法和有限差分法研究导体层边缘附近的虚感应矢量.首先,研究有一定埋深的导体--围岩界面处的情况,其中包括虚感应矢量的频率响应.其次,研究了海岸效应的虚感应矢量的频率响应.在海岸效应中不仅考虑了不同海水层厚度的影响,还考虑了海水与陆地的电导率比值大小对虚感应矢量的影响.最后,研究了被动陆缘（passive continental margin）处的海岸效应,检查磁感应矢量的测量是否能揭示海岸下面深部电导率的横向变化（即与岩石层厚度变化有关联的电导率变化）.     

A laboratory electromagnetic model study of the Juan de Fuca Plate region

The behaviour of the magnetic field variations over the Juan de Fuca Plate region is studied using a scaled laboratory analogue model. The model includes a simulation of the complex Juan de Fuca Plate subducting the Vancouver Island region. The subducting plate is modelled with a profile of increasing inclination from east to west; horizontal offshore, dipping at 10° under Vancouver Island, and bending further under Georgia Strait to subduct the continent at 30° for the B.C. region and 45° for the Washington-Oregon region. The strike of the bending plate follows the general strike of the continental coastline with an abrupt change in direction (42°) in the Puget Sound area. The model substructure simulates a subducting plate, overplated by a sediment layer several kilometres thick, and underlain by a 30 km thick highly conducting upper asthenosphere. The model source frequencies used simulate periods 5–120 min in the geophysical scale. In-phase and quadrature H_x, H_y, and H_z magnetic field measurements for the modelled region are presented for an approximately uniform overhead horizontal source field for E- and H-polarizations (electric field of the source approximately parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to the west coast of Vancouver Island). The fields for three regions of the model; over Vancouver Island, over the Olympic Peninsula and over a linear portion of the U.S. coastline, are examined in detail. The general conclusion is that the effect of the dipping subducting plates is to significantly attenuate, at short periods, the maxima in the anomalies at the coastlines underlain by the 10° dipping plate, while leading to anomalous vertical and horizontal fields over ranges as large as 500 km inland over a wide period range. Anomalous fields are observed over the offshore and inland knee-bends of the subducting plates at all periods for both E- and H-polarizations. For locations on land, the in-phase induction arrows point seaward and perpendicular to the strikes of the dipping plates for all periods, while the quadrature arrows at short periods point landward and rotate to point seaward for periods greater than 20 min.     

Numerical modelling of airborne electromagnetic anomalies originating from low-conductivity 3D bodies1

Responses of a multifrequency, multicoil airborne electromagnetic (AEM) system were modelled numerically for 3D electrical conductors embedded in a resistive bedrock and overlain by an overburden of low to moderate conductivity. The results cover a horizontal coplanar coil configuration and two frequencies, 7837 Hz and 51 250 Hz. The models studied are single or multiple, poor conductors (conductance lower than 0.1 S) embedded in a host rock of high but finite resistivity (5000 Ωm) and overlain by a layer of overburden with finite thickness and low to moderate conductivity (conductance up to 2 S). On the basis of the modelling results, limits of detectability for poor conductors have been studied for the various model structures. The results indicate that the anomaly from a steeply dipping, plate-like conductor will decrease significantly when the conductor is embedded in a weakly conductive host rock and is overlain by a conductive overburden. However, an anomaly is obtained, and its magnitude can even increase with increasing overburden conductivity or frequency. The plate anomaly remains practically constant when only the overburden thickness is varied. Changes in overburden conductivity will cause the plate-anomaly values to change markedly. If the plate conductance is less than that of the overburden, a local anomaly opposite in sign to the normal type of anomaly will be recorded. Another major consequence is that conductors interpreted with free-space models will be heavily overestimated in depth or underestimated in conductance, if in reality induction and current channelling in the host rock and overburden make even a slight contribution to the anomalous EM field. The lateral resolution for the horizontal coplanar coil system was found to be about 1.7 times the sensor altitude. Similarly, the lateral extension of a horizontal conductive ribbon, required to reach the semi-infinite (half-space) behaviour, is more than three times the sensor altitude. Finally, screening of a steeply dipping plate, caused by a small, conductive horizontal ribbon, is much more severe than screening of the same plate by an extensive horizontal layer.     

SCALE MODEL ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE TO INLINE AND BROADSIDE SYSTEMS AT SKEW TRAVERSES OF A DIPPING HALF PLANE EMBEDDED IN A CONDUCTING HOST ROCK*

Laboratory scale model experiments have been performed to obtain the electromagnetic response of a finitely conducting half plane embedded in resistive/conductive surrounding and excited by an oscillating magnetic dipole. Inphase and quadrature profiles are presented for two horizontal coplanar transmitter-receiver systems (inline and broadside) for normal and skew traverses and for different dips of the conductor. It is observed that the broadside system is more diagnostic in delineating the strike and dip of the conductor and is more sensitive to the conducting host rock. The broadside profile over a vertical or dipping half plane is characterized, when traversing perpendicular to strike, by two positive peaks flanking a zero response when the coils are over the top edge of the conductor. For skew traverses a negative peak replaces the zero response. An increasing asymmetry in the anomalies is caused by changing the dip of the conductor from the vertical in both the systems, but it is more pronounced for the broadside system. The quadrature response in the broadside system changes in a characteristic way when the target is surrounded by a conducting host rock. The comparative results of the two systems may, therefore, be useful in the induction prospecting for ore deposits approximated by a half plane, especially in delineating the strike, dip, and effect of conductive host rock.     

EM induction in the Vancouver Island region: 3D numerical,analogue model,and field site results

Electromagnetic induction in the Vancouver Island region for a uniform inducing source field for 300 s period is investigated with the aid of three-dimensional (3-D) numerical and analogue model results and field site measurements. The thin sheet numerical model, based on the subducting Juan de Fuca plate analogue model ofDosso et al., consists of a 5km thick non-uniform thin sheet (comprising the lateral conductivity contrasts arising from the land, the varying depth ocean, and the sediment) underlain by a four-layer conductive structure. The four-layer conductive structure beneath the non-uniform thin sheet simulates the effect of the Juan de Fuca plate subducting Vancouver Island. To examine the effects of the ocean channel depth between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia (Canada) mainland, numerical results were obtained for two channel depths (0 and 600 m). The results indicate that the channel plays an important role in the geomagnetic response in the central and inner coastal regions of Vancouver Island. The general agreement of the 3-D numerical model induction arrows with the analogue model and field site induction arrows for 300 s supports the premise of a layered conductive substructure dipping at a small angle, at most, beneath Vancouver Island.Lithoprobe Publication No. 311.     

班公—怒江构造带的电性结构特征——大地电磁探测结果

对青藏高原过班公—怒江构造带的三条大地电磁剖面进行探测,获得班公—怒江构造带及其邻区的电性结构模型,研究了班公—怒江构造带的深部结构与构造特征.研究结果表明：构造带及其两侧上地壳内广泛分布不连续高阻体,反映了岩浆岩的空间分布特征,表明构造带南北两侧岩浆的活动规律可能存在较大差别.研究区内的冈底斯及羌塘地体的中、下地壳普遍发育高导层,反映了印度大陆碰撞、俯冲过程的效应与痕迹,而高导层之下的高阻块体则可能是向北俯冲、冷的、刚性的印度大陆地壳.羌塘地体的电性结构模型可以分为南北两个区段,南羌塘块体的壳内高导层与班公—怒江构造带对印度板块俯冲的阻挡作用有关;而北羌塘块体壳内高导层与亚洲大陆对印度板块向北俯冲的“阻挡”与向南“对冲”有关.印度板块向北的俯冲与挤入,受到班公—怒江构造带及亚洲板块的阻挡,可能没有越过班公—怒江构造带,并在班公—怒江构造带附近向下插入软流圈,导致幔源物质上涌,形成壳、幔热交换与物质交换的通道和规模巨大、延伸至上地幔的高导体.班公—怒江构造带的电性结构证明了该构造带是一组产状陡立、巨型的超壳深断裂带.     

Geophysical experiments to image the shallow internal structure and the moisture distribution of a mine waste rock pile

Several field surveys of a waste rock pile were carried out during the summers of 2002 and 2003 using ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic conductivity and DC resistivity imaging. The waste rock deposit is prone to generate acid mine drainage (AMD) due to the oxidation of sulphidic minerals. One of the most critical factors that lead to the production of AMD is unsaturated water flow and the ensuing moisture distribution in the waste rock. This geophysical characterization study, performed over a 30 m × 30 m test zone, was designed to image the internal structure controlling the water flux at shallow depth. The subsurface was found to consist of three zones for the first 6 m of the pile, mainly based on electrical resistivities: a thin superficial conductive material, an intermediate 2 to 3 m thick highly resistive zone, and a lower, more conductive medium. With the help of hydrogeological tests, chemical analyses and two 2.5 m-deep trenches, it is shown that the two conductive zones are correlated with fine-grained waste rock and the resistive zone correlates with a coarser material. In the two deeper zones, the contact between the two types of waste rock is typically highlighted by a sharp resistive/conductive boundary. An increase of conductance in the relatively thin upper layer towards the edge of the pile appears to be caused by an increase in thickness of the fine-grained material. Additional geophysical surveys carried out on a profile along the flank of the upper bench of the pile show that the main features of the internal structure are sub-parallel to the slope, at least for the first 3 m in depth. The data also show an increase in resistivity from the top to bottom of the slope, in accordance with expected particle segregation, from fine-grained material at the top to coarser material at the bottom. Wide-angle reflection GPR monitoring during large scale infiltration tests seems to indicate preferential flow paths towards the direction of coarser, more pervious material (which also appears to be less oxidized). Water preferentially flows through the coarse-grained material, but it is stored by capillary forces in the fine-grained material. Apart from the deposition methods, the results strongly suggest that factors such as machinery-induced mechanical alteration, construction history of the pile, and increased oxidization near the edges could explain the resistivity model. The model interpreted from geophysical imaging agrees well with the conceptual model of the rock pile. The resistivity and GPR methods appear to be efficient geophysical methods to characterize the internal structure and preferential flow patterns within unsaturated waste rock piles.     

Magnetotelluric survey in the bradyseismic area of Phlegraean Fields

A magnetotelluric survey was carried out in order to contribute to the definition of the deep structure of the Phlegraean Fields area affected by the bradyseismic crisis begun in the summer 1982. In a preliminary campaign carried out in autumn 1983, the MT measurements were made in eight sites, located between 0.3 and 5 km from the Harbour of Pozzuoli and affected by different degrees of uplift.In a second campaign (autumn, 1984) seven of the first eight MT soundings were repeated and four new sites were investigated, one of which located in a stable zone 10 km away from Pozzuoli.MT measurements show the presence of a thick conductive layer (<1 m) thinned underneath the town of Pozzuoli, where its top reaches the minimum depth (1.2–2 km). The upper horizon of this layer has a greater concavity than that produced by surface deformation. Below the conductive layer, the substratum became progressively more resistive with depth. This resistive basement is well defined in the soundings located far away from Pozzuoli. Here, on the contrary, a zone or body much more conductive than its surroundings is detected. This conductive body could correspond to a high temperature magmatic intrusion, probably already solidified, with a rough cylindrical shape with a base diameter of 1.5±0.5 km.Introducing into the obtained model the depth of the conductive horizon desumed from the deep geothermal wells, the top of the intrusive body would lye at 3–4 km depth.A small uplift of this body related to tectonic readjustments eventually induced by strong earthquakes recently occurred in near zones could explain the surface deformation observed during the present bradyseismic crisis.     

An analogue model study of EM induction in the North China-Korea coastal region

The behaviour of the magnetic field variations over the North China-Korea coastal region is studied with the aid of a scaled laboratory analogue model. The model source frequencies simulate naturally occurring geomagnetic variations of 3–60 min periods. In-phase and quadrature magnetic B_x, B_y and B_z field measurements for the modelled region are presented for E- and B-polarizations. Large anomalous in-phase and quadrature model magnetic fields are observed over the Korea-Japan strait for E-polarization and over the Bohai strait for B-polarization due to current channelling through the straits. Large responses of the peninsulas in the shallow coastal areas occur at short periods but decrease abruptly with increasing period. In general, the effects of peninsulas, straits, bays and irregularities in the coastlines play an important role in the magnetic field responses both on-shore and off-shore for this complex North China-Korea coastal region. Model and field site induction arrows are compared for three sites west of Bohai Bay.     

Step-on versus step-off signals in time-domain controlled source electromagnetic methods using a grounded electric dipole

The time-domain controlled source electromagnetic method is a geophysical prospecting tool applied to image the subsurface resistivity distribution on land and in the marine environment. In its most general set-up, a square-wave current is fed into a grounded horizontal electric dipole, and several electric and magnetic field receivers at defined offsets to the imposed current measure the electromagnetic response of the Earth. In the marine environment, the application often uses only inline electric field receivers that, for a 50% duty-cycle current waveform, include both step-on and step-off signals. Here, forward and inverse 1D modelling is used to demonstrate limited sensitivity towards shallow resistive layers in the step-off electric field when transmitter and receivers are surrounded by conductive seawater. This observation is explained by a masking effect of the direct current signal that flows through the seawater and primarily affects step-off data. During a step-off measurement, this direct current is orders of magnitude larger than the inductive response at early and intermediate times, limiting the step-off sensitivity towards shallow resistive layers in the seafloor. Step-on data measure the resistive layer at times preceding the arrival of the direct current signal leading to higher sensitivity compared to step-off data. Such dichotomous behaviour between step-on and step-off data is less obvious in onshore experiments due to the lack of a strong overlying conductive zone and corresponding masking effect from direct current flow. Supported by synthetic 1D inversion studies, we conclude that time-domain controlled source electromagnetic measurements on land should apply both step-on and step-off data in a combined inversion approach to maximize signal-to-noise ratios and utilize the sensitivity characteristics of each signal. In an isotropic marine environment, step-off electric fields have inferior sensitivity towards shallow resistive layers compared to step-on data, resulting in an increase of non-uniqueness when interpreting step-off data in a single or combined inversion.     

Magnetotelluric response of a two-dimensional sloping contact by the finite element method

Summary The finite element method, with triangular elements, is used to study the effect of a two-dimensional sloping contact on the surface electromagnetic fields. It is found in the case ofH-polarization and small slopes that the electric field and the apparent resistivity near the contact, on the conductive side, are higher than their asymptotic values. In the case ofE-polarization the apparent resistivity and phase values on the conductive side fall off less rapidly to their asymptotic values with decreasing slope resulting in higher apparent resistivity and phase values on the conductive side, than those expected for a vertical contact. The peak in the amplitude and phase of the normalized vertical magnetic field shifts from the resistive side for a vertical contact to the conductive side for a sloping contact. Far from the sloping contact, on the conductive side, higher values are observed for the normalized vertical magnetic field than in the case of a vertical contact.     

东太平洋Juan de Fuca板块的大地电磁研究

本研究做为电磁感应国际合作研究项目—EMSLAB计划的一部分,主要目的在于确定东太平洋年轻的海洋板块——Juan de Fuca板块及其周围地区岩石圈和软流圈的电性结构。 在对海底观测的大地电磁资料定性和定量分析的基础上,进行了二维数学模拟。在二维模型中,海洋地形和已知的表层构造被确定。通过改变模型的重要参数,评价响应函数和观测资料之间偏差的增加,检验模型的可靠性。结果表明,Juan de Fuca板块深部存在两个导电层,一个在40km,另一个在200km左右。这里岩石圈比其它较老板块的岩石圈薄     

Theoretical central frequency sounding response curves over a generalized three-layer earth

The digital linear filter method is used to compute the normalized vertical magnetic field for a circular loop in CFS system. Three-layer earth models with resistive and conductive basement are considered. The corresponding field expressions are suitably written, and the multifrequency response is computed and presented in convenient forms. Analysis of theoretical data indicates that for highly resistive basement, the variation in layer conductivity and intermediate layer thickness is well reflected on three-layer amplitude response curves at low frequencies and at high conductivity contrasts between first and second layers. This, however, is not true in the case of conductive basement, where the resolution of the intermediate layer is observed to be comparatively poor. The resolution of an intermediate conductive layer in a three-layer sequence is found to be satisfactory.     

西藏高原南部雅鲁藏布江缝合带地区地壳电性结构研究

为了探测西藏高原南部雅鲁藏布江缝合带地区地壳浅部和深部构造沿东西和南北方向的变化特征,在雅鲁藏布江缝合带地区布设了三条南北向剖面(错那—墨竹工卡、亚东—雪古拉、吉隆—措勤),采用超宽频带大地电磁测深方法进行了地壳、上地幔电性结构探测研究,发现该区主要电性结构特征为：1. 雅鲁藏布江缝合带附近表层发育大规模的高阻体,岩体延伸最深达30km以上,是冈底斯花岗岩体的反映. 2. 雅鲁藏布江缝合带的南部有小规模的良导体,在其下方和北侧发育有大规模良导体. 3. 沿剖面从南往北壳内普遍发育良导体,各良导体主体间是不连续的,规模逐渐增大,总体北倾,在缝合带附近产状较陡. 4. 在雅鲁藏布江缝合带附近良导体由西往东规模逐渐增大,导电性逐渐变好,相对雅鲁藏布江在剖面上的位置逐渐南移. 这些重要的电性特征可能是印度板块向北俯冲所形成的,深部大规模的良导体特征沿东西向的差异可能是板块碰撞引起物质沿东西向运移作用的结果.     

Structural controls on the 1998 volcanic unrest at Iwate volcano: Relationship between a shallow, electrically resistive body and the possible ascent route of magmatic fluid

Magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were conducted at Iwate volcano, across the entirety of the mountain, in 1997, 1999, 2003, 2006, and 2007. The survey line was 18 km in length and oriented E–W, comprising 38 measurements sites. Following 2D inversion, we obtained the resistivity structure to a depth of 4 km. The surface resistive layer (~ several hundreds of meters thick) is underlain by extensive highly conductive zones. Based on drilling data, the bottom of the highly conductive zone is interpreted to represent the 200 °C isotherm, below which (i.e., at higher temperatures) conductive clay minerals (smectite) are rare. The high conductivity is therefore mainly attributed to the presence of hydrothermally altered clay. The focus of this study is a resistive body beneath the Onigajo (West-Iwate) caldera at depths of 0.5–3 km. This body appears to have impeded magmatic fluid ascent during the 1998 volcanic unrest, as inferred from geodetic data. Both tectonic and low-frequency earthquakes are sparsely distributed throughout this resistive body. We interpret this resistive body as a zone of old, solidified intrusive magma with temperatures in excess of 200 °C. Given that a similar relationship between a resistive body and subsurface volcanic activity has been suggested for Asama volcano, structural controls on subsurface magmatic fluid movement may be a common phenomenon at shallow levels beneath volcanoes.     

时间域航空电磁法激电效应对电磁扩散的影响

由于激发极化效应的影响,时间域航空电磁晚期道信号经常会出现变号现象.基于电阻率的传统反演方法无法对变号数据进行正确反演,因此通常在数据处理中予以剔除.为深入了解极化介质的电磁扩散特征,认识航空瞬变电磁负响应的产生机理,本文研究时间域航空电磁系统的电磁扩散特征.我们以均匀极化、非极化半空间及层状介质模型为例,通过直接积分的方法求解频率域电场响应,并由欧姆定律得到电流响应,再经过汉克尔变换得到时间域电流响应.通过研究电流随时间在地下极化介质中的传播特征研究电磁扩散过程;通过对比不同激电参数对电磁扩散的影响,研究极化介质中感应电流与极化电流的扩散规律,从而合理地解释极化介质中负响应的产生机理.基于本文研究和分析结果,可加深对时间域航空电磁法中激电效应的认识.     

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.