Anomalous electrical resistivity anisotropy in clean reservoir sandstones

We report novel laboratory measurements of the full electrical resistivity tensor in reservoir analogue quartzose sandstones with clay contents less than 1.5%. We show that clean, homogeneous, visually uniform sandstone samples typically display between 15% and 25% resistivity anisotropy with minimum resistivity normal to the bedding plane. Thin‐section petrography, analysis of fabric anisotropy, and comparison to finite‐element simulations of grain pack compaction show that the observed anisotropy symmetries and magnitudes can be explained by syn‐depositional and post‐depositional compaction processes. Our findings suggest that: electrical resistivity anisotropy is likely to be present in most clastic rocks as a consequence of ballistic deposition and compaction; compaction may be deduced from measurements of electrical anisotropy; and the anisotropy observed at larger scales in well logging and controlled‐source electromagnetic data, with maximum resistivity normal to bedding, is most likely the result of meso‐scale (10^?1 m–10¹ m) periodic layering of electrically dissimilar lithologies.     

Effect of high-pressures on the electrical resistivity of natural zeolites from Deccan Trap, Maharashtra, India

We report here the electrical resistivity measurements on two natural zeolites–natrolite and scolecite (from the Killari borehole, Maharashtra, India) as a function of pressure up to 8 GPa at room temperature. High-pressure electrical resistivity studies on hydrous alumino-silicate minerals are very helpful in understanding the role of water in deep crustal conductivities obtained from geophysical models. The results obtained by magneto-telluric (MT) soundings and direct current resistivity surveys, along with the laboratory data on the electrical resistivity of minerals and rocks at high-pressure–temperature are used to determine the electrical conductivity distribution in continental lithosphere. The electrical resistivity of natural natrolite decreases continuously from 2.9 × 10⁹ Ω cm at ambient condition to 7.64 × 10² Ω cm at 8 GPa, at room temperature. There is no pressure-induced first order structural phase transitions in natrolite, when it is compressed in non-penetrating pressure transmitting medium up to 8 GPa. On the other hand scolecite exhibits a pressure-induced transition, with a discontinuous decrease of the electrical resistivity from 2.6 × 10⁶ to 4.79 × 10⁵ Ω cm at 4.2 to 4.3 GPa. The observed phase transition in scolecite is found to be irreversible. Vibrational spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies confirm the amorphous nature of the high-pressure phase. The results of the present high-pressure studies on scolecite are in good agreement with the high-pressure Raman spectroscopic data on scolecite. The thermo gravimetric studies on the pressure-quenched samples show that the samples underwent a pressure-induced partial dehydration. Such a pressure-induced partial dehydration, which has been observed in natural scolecite could explain the presence of high conductive layers in the earth's deep-crust.     

GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION IN HARD-ROCK TERRAIN—A CASE HISTORY*

The utility of electrical resistivity and magnetic measurements to locate suitable wellsites in hard-rock terrains intruded by dykes is illustrated. The example is taken from a highly hilly terrain of Karnataka State situated in the Western Ghat hills of Peninsular India. Electrical resistivity profiles and soundings, S.P., and total magnetic field measurements are discussed. Of the fifteen recommended sites, nine have been drilled, eight of which are reported to yield between 6–12 m³/hr (1500 to 3000 gals./hr), which is considered satisfactory in this region.     

Relation of in situ resistivity to water content in salt rocks1

The investigation of water in salt-rock formations is of particular relevance to underground nuclear waste repositories. In the Asse salt-mine (Germany) a study into the relationship of in situ resistivity to water content has been made. Measurements were carried out in older rock-salt using an electrode array in boreholes, an electrode profile in a drift and small resistivity sensors in and around a drift seal. Further measurements were made on moist zones in a contact area of younger rock-salt and carnallitite and also in older rock-salt with anhydrite bands using electrode profiles in the drifts. The resistivities range from 10²Ωm to 10⁶Ωm. Corresponding probes have water contents from 0.01% to 1.3%. A definite relationship between resistivity and water content is revealed which can be described by Archie's law using a cementation factor m of 1.9. Porosities are between 0.08% and 1.4% and the saturations vary considerably. An explicit influence of saturation on resistivity cannot be discovered using the present data. The results enable us to estimate the in situ water content and the order of the in situ porosity using resistivity surveys at different scales. This increases significantly the safety of a nuclear repository site.     

Study on the property of apparent resistivity changes of rock samples byin situ shear and friction test

In the strip limestone mine in Guiding county, Guizhou Province the shear and frictionin situ tests of rock body were made for the three typical inclined weak bands C ₃ ¹ /C ₃ ¹ , C ₃ ¹ /C ₂ ² and C ₂ ² /C ₂ ¹ . The tests were made according to the second scheme of cuneate sample of the standards on rock mechanics test of Water Conservancy and Electricity Ministry. The changes of the resistivity in the weak band and the acoustic speed across the weak band were measured in the same time. The apparent resistivity data, obtained for 8 samples on 27 measure lines in 38 cycle tests, show that the apparent resistivity changes have rather obvious characters as follows: 1. At shear and friction stage, the change of the apparent resistivity accelerates after the yield point, and reaches the maximum of change rate and change amplitude near fracture point (except the lines with resistivity invariant); 2. On the same sample, the resistivity changes are different on the various lines and related to the location settled the lines, there are some “sensitive” location; 3. At the stage of preloading normal stress before shearing, the resistivity decreases on most lines, but on a few lines the resistivity does not changes; 4. After unloading shear stress, the resistivity could not recover completely and the hysteresis of resistiviity takes place on a few lines.     

Study on the property of apparent resistivity changes of rock samples by in situ shear and friction test

In the strip limestone mine in Guiding county, Guizhou Province the shear and frictionin situ tests of rock body were made for the three typical inclined weak bands C ₃ ¹ /C ₃ ¹ , C ₃ ¹ /C ₂ ² and C ₂ ² /C ₂ ¹ . The tests were made according to the second scheme of cuneate sample of the standards on rock mechanics test of Water Conservancy and Electricity Ministry. The changes of the resistivity in the weak band and the acoustic speed across the weak band were measured in the same time. The apparent resistivity data, obtained for 8 samples on 27 measure lines in 38 cycle tests, show that the apparent resistivity changes have rather obvious characters as follows: 1. At shear and friction stage, the change of the apparent resistivity accelerates after the yield point, and reaches the maximum of change rate and change amplitude near fracture point (except the lines with resistivity invariant); 2. On the same sample, the resistivity changes are different on the various lines and related to the location settled the lines, there are some “sensitive” location; 3. At the stage of preloading normal stress before shearing, the resistivity decreases on most lines, but on a few lines the resistivity does not changes; 4. After unloading shear stress, the resistivity could not recover completely and the hysteresis of resistiviity takes place on a few lines. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,15, 217–223, 1993. Support for this research was received from Guiding strip limestone mine, Guizhou Organic Chemistry Factory. This research is supported by the Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation.     

A field test of imaging properties of rotational invariants of the magnetotelluric impedance tensor

A part of the Békés Basin (an extensional sub‐basin of the Pannonian Basin, where the basement under thick Pannonian sediments is well known from deep boreholes and from seismic measurements, and where many magnetotelluric (MT) soundings have been carried out for frequencies ranging from 1 to 10^?3 Hz) was selected as a test area to assess the imaging performances of various apparent‐resistivity definitions computed with rotational invariants of either the real part of the complex impedance tensor, or its imaginary part, or both. A comparison (based on earlier 3D numerical studies) has been made between the magnetotelluric images obtained in this way and the depths to the high‐resistivity basement, as known from boreholes and seismic investigations. The correlation coefficient between the series of basement depth values at 39 MT sites and the apparent‐resistivity values was found to be stronger and high correlation appeared at a shorter period when it was computed with apparent resistivities based on the real tensor rather than with apparent resistivities based on the imaginary tensor. In the light of our studies, ρ_{Re Z} and the impedance phase seem to be more informative than any other combination of magnetotelluric interpretation parameters.     

A time-domain induced-polarization method for estimating permeability in a shaly sand reservoir

It is known that the time‐domain induced‐polarization decay curve for a shaly sand reservoir depends on the pore structure of the reservoir, and this curve can be used to estimate permeability, which is a determining factor in making production decisions in the petroleum industry. Compared with NMR logging tools, induced polarization has several advantages, such as a deep depth of investigation and a high signal‐to‐noise ratio. The purpose of this paper is to establish an appropriate model using induced polarization to estimate the permeability. The curve can be modelled as a weighted superposition of exponential relaxations. The plot of weight versus the relaxation time constant is defined as the relaxation time spectrum. Induced‐polarization decay‐curve measurements were performed on 123 samples from the Daqing oilfield using a four‐electrode technique. A singular‐value decomposition method was used to transform the induced‐polarization decay data into a spectrum. Different models to estimate the permeability were discussed. The results of the research indicate that the induced‐polarization measurements greatly improve the statistical significance of permeability correlations. Compared with the traditional forms, Aφ^C and AF^C, the forms, AT^Bφ^C and AT^BF^C, have lower error factors, where T, Φ and F are the geometric mean time constant of the induced‐polarization relaxation time spectrum, the porosity and the resistivity formation factor, respectively, and A, B and C are constants. The mean time constant is the decisive parameter in the permeability estimation and it is not completely independent of the resistivity formation factor. The additional use of the porosity and the resistivity formation factor leads to an appreciable improvement. It is concluded that this new model will make it possible to estimate the permeability of a shaly sand reservoir downhole.     

The electrical conductivity of Posidonia black shales — from magnetotelluric exploration to rock samples

We carried out a magnetotelluric field campaign in the South–East Lower Saxony Basin, Germany, with the main goal of testing this method for imaging regional Posidonia black shale sediments. Two‐dimensional inversion results of the magnetotelluric data show a series of conductive structures correlating with brine‐saturated sediments but also with deeper, anthracitic Westphalian/Namurian coals. None of these structures can be directly related with the Posidonia black shale, which appears to be generally resistive and therefore difficult to resolve with the magnetotelluric method. This assumption is supported by measurements of electrical resistivity on a set of Posidonia shale samples from the Hils syncline in the Lower Saxony basin. These rock samples were collected in shallow boreholes and show immature (0.53% Ro), oil (0.88% Ro), and gas (1.45% Ro) window thermal maturities. None of the black shale samples showed low electrical resistivity, particularly those with oil window maturity show resistivity exceeding 10⁴ Ωm. Moreover, we could not observe a direct correlation between maturity and electrical resistivity; the Harderode samples showed the highest resistivity, whereas the Haddessen samples showed the lowest. A similar trend has been seen for coals in different states of thermal maturation. Saturation of the samples with distilled and saline water solutions led to decreasing electrical resistivity. Moreover, a positive correlation of electrical resistivity with porosity is observed for the Wickensen and Harderode samples, which suggests that the electrical resistivity of the Posidonia black shale is mainly controlled by porosity.     

The cone penetration test and 2D imaging resistivity as tools to simulate the distribution of hydrocarbons in soil

The purpose of geophysical electrical surveys is to determine the subsurface resistivity distribution by making measurements on the ground surface. From these measurements, the true resistivity of the subsurface can be estimated. The ground resistivity is related to various geological parameters, such as the mineral and fluid content, porosity and degree of water saturation in the rock. Electrical resistivity surveys have been used for many decades in hydrogeological, mining and geotechnical investigations. More recently, they have been used for environmental surveys. To obtain a more accurate subsurface model than is possible with a simple 1-D model, a more complex model must be used. In a 2-D model, the resistivity values are allowed to vary in one horizontal direction (usually referred to as the x direction) but are assumed to be constant in the other horizontal (the y) direction. A more realistic model would be a fully 3-D model where the resistivity values are allowed to change in all three directions. In this research, a simulation of the cone penetration test and 2D imaging resistivity are used as tools to simulate the distribution of hydrocarbons in soil.     

Fluid injection monitoring using electrical resistivity tomography — five years of injection at Ketzin,Germany

Between the years 2008 and 2013, approximately 67 kilotons of CO₂ have been injected at the Ketzin site, Germany. As part of the geophysical monitoring programme, time‐lapse electrical resistivity tomography has been applied using crosshole and surface‐downhole measurements of electrical resistivity tomography. The data collection of electrical resistivity tomography is partly based on electrodes that are permanently installed in three wells at the site (one injection well and two observation wells). Both types of ERT measurements consistently show the build‐up of a CO₂‐related resistivity signature near the injection point. Based on the imaged resistivity changes and a petrophysical model, CO₂ saturation levels are estimated. These CO₂ saturations are interpreted in conjunction with CO₂ saturations inferred from neutron‐gamma loggings. Apart from the CO₂–brine substitution response in the observed resistivity changes, significant imprints from the dynamic behaviour of the CO₂ in the reservoir are observed.     

The effect of screening of the magnetotelluric field by high resistivity layers: Three-dimensional numerical modeling constraints

A 3-D numerical modeling approach is applied to the effect of screening of the magnetotelluric (MT) field by high resistance (≥10⁶ Ω m²) layers, which up to now has mainly been studied in terms of 2-D heterogeneous models of geological sections [Berdichevsky and Yakovlev, 1990]. Three-layer models above a poorly conducting basement (ρ=10⁴ Ω m) are used. The resistance of the screening layer was generally taken equal to 2×10⁶ Ω m² and its thickness was varied from 200 to 2000 m. The resistivity of the host medium was set at 10 Ω m. Heterogeneities of a low and a high resistivity (ρ=10^?3 and 10⁴ Ω m, respectively) ranging in horizontal size from 4 to 40 km and having a height of 1–2.8 km (a protrusion on the basement) were examined. Based on calculations of these models, 2-D and 3-D screening effects were compared. The 3-D modeling determined values of model parameters at which the screening properties are preserved both in the case of a screen of limited horizontal dimensions and in the presence of a rupture in the screen comparable in horizontal size with the 3-D heterogeneity. As follows from the modeling results, the screening effect of the high resistivity model layers seriously complicates the use of MT soundings for the identification of a local heterogeneity of both a low and a high resistivity (ρ=10^?3 and 10⁴ Ω m, respectively) if its lateral size is smaller than the 4-km thickness of the studied three-layer section in question and its height is 1–1.5 km. The regular patterns of the screening effect revealed in this work are of interest in electromagnetic sounding applications.     

Integrated interpretation of the magnetotelluric and magnetic data from Mahallat geothermal field,Iran

Magnetotelluric (MT) and ground magnetic surveys were conducted on the Mahallat geothermal field situated in Markazi province, central Iran, as a primary part of the explorations and developments of a geothermal energy investigation program in the region. Mahallat region has the greatest geothermal fields in Iran. MT survey was performed in November 2011 on an 8 km profile crossing the hot springs with a total of 17 stations. The 2D inversion of the determinant MT data was performed using a 2D inversion routine based on the Occam approach. The 2D resistivity model obtained from the determinant data shows a low resistivity zone at 800-2000 m depth and a higher resistivity zone above the low resistivity zone, interpreted as geothermal reservoir and cap rock, respectively. It also revealed two major concealed faults which are acting as preferential paths for the circulation of hydrothermal fluids. To obtain more geophysical evidence, a ground magnetic survey with 5000 stations was also performed over an area of 200 km² around the MT profile. Magnetic measurements show a main positive anomaly of about +1000 nT over the study area, which could be interpreted as an intrusive body with the high magnetic susceptibility (i.e. mafic and ultramafic rocks) into the sedimentary host rocks. We interpret the body as the heat source of the geothermal system. Structural index and depth estimation of the anomaly indicate that the intrusive body is similar to a cylinder extending from about one kilometer depth down to greater depths. The results of MT and magnetic investigations indicate a geothermal reservoir which proves the preliminary geological observations to a great extent.     

Time‐lapse electrical resistivity imaging of solute transport in a karst conduit

The use of electrical resistivity surveys to locate karst conduits has shown mixed success. However, time‐lapse electrical resistivity imaging combined with salt injection improves conduit detection and can yield valuable insight into solute transport behaviour. We present a proof of concept above a known karst conduit in the Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington, Kentucky). A salt tracer solution was injected into a karst window over a 45‐min interval, and repeat resistivity surveys were collected every 20 min along a 125‐m transect near a monitoring well approximately 750 m downgradient from the injection site. In situ fluid conductivity measurements in the well peaked at approximately 25% of the initial value about 3 h after salt injection. Time‐lapse electrical resistivity inversions show two broad zones at the approximate conduit depth where resistivity decreased and then recovered in general agreement with in situ measurements. Combined salt injection and electrical resistivity imaging are a promising tool for locating karst conduits. The method is also useful for gaining insight into conduit geometry and could be expanded to include multiple electrical resistivity transects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regional study of the anomalous change in apparent resistivity before the Tangshan earthquake (M=7.8, 1976) in China

Electrical resistivity measurements have been conducted as a possible means for obtaining precursory earthquake information. Before five great earthquakes (M>7,h<25 km) in China, the apparent resistivity _a showed systematic variations within a region 200 km from the epicenters. In particular, 9 stations in the Tangshan-Tianjin-Beijing region prior to the Tangshan earthquake (M=7.8,h=11 km, 27 July 1976) showed a consistent decrease of apparent resistivity around the epicenter, with a maximum resistivity change of 6% and a period of variation of 2–3 years. Simultaneous water table observations in this region showed a declining water table, and ground surface observations indicated a slight (5 mm) uplift in the epicenter region relative to its surroundings.In order to develop an explanation for the observed change of apparent resistivity associated with these great earthquakes, we have used Archie's Law to explore the effects of changes in rock porosity, water content and electrolyte resistivity on measured resistivity.Tentative conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) the apparent resistivity change is opposite to the effect expected from the simultaneous water table trend; (2) the dilatancy needed to give such resistivity variations (assuming Archie's Law holds) is much larger than that needed to explain the observed uplift (by 2–3 orders of magnitude); (3) salinity change in the pore electrolyte is a possible explanation for the variation in resistivity: an increase in the salinity would cause a proportional decrease in resistivity; the data needed to test this hypothesis, however, are lacking; and (4) the effect of changing geometry of rock pores or cracks due to pressure solution may provide an explanation for the decrease in apparent resistivity; it is different in nature from the effect of a volume change in response to stress although the geometry change is also closely related to the stress change.     

Characterisation of subsurface spatial variability using a cone resistivity penetrometer

The subsurface spatial variation in clay soils, such as thin-layered sand seams, affects the mechanical strength and electrical resistivity. The objective of this study is the development and application of cone resistivity penetrometer (CRP), which measures the cone tip resistance, sleeve friction, and electrical resistivity to evaluate the subsurface spatial variability. The electrical resistivity is measured at the cone tip to increase its resolution. Two outer diameters of the cone resistivity penetrometers (CRPs) are developed: D=10 mm CRP with a projected area of 0.78 cm² and D=15 mm CRP with a projected area of 1.76 cm². The cone tip resistance is effectively separated using a friction sleeve. Strain gauges are used to measure the mechanical strength, and coaxial type electrodes monitor the electrical resistivity. The application tests in the laboratory are conducted using layered soils and saturated sands. In addition, the penetration tests in the field are carried out and compared with the standard piezocone test. The penetration tests show that the soil layers and the density changes are clearly detected by the electrical resistivity and mechanical strength. Field tests show that CRP clearly evaluates the subsurface profile. This study suggests that CRP may be a useful technique for the evaluation of subsurface spatial variability during penetration testing.     

FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT COMPLEX RESISTIVITY OF ROCK-SALT SAMPLES AND RELATED PETROPHYSICAL PARAMETERS1

The presence of water is one of the main concerns of nuclear waste disposal in rock-salt. It can be investigated using electrical properties of the rock. Laboratory measurements of frequency-dependent resistivity and other petrophysical parameters, such as porosity, water content, and specific internal surface area, have been carried out on rock-salt from the Asse mine in Germany, in order to obtain characteristic resistivity responses for the evaluation of geoelectric field methods and to develop new methods for the estimation of the water content and saturation. The laboratory method, on a.c. half-bridge for very high impedances, allows measurements of the resistivity spectrum of rock-salt in the frequency range from 15 Hz to 10 kHz. The saturation of the samples was varied artificially and was approximately 5%, 10%, 20% and 100%. The porosity varies between 0.1% and 0.5%, the water content is approximately 0.05% or less, and the initial saturation is less than 50%. The resistivity ranges from 10 MΩm at the initial saturation down to 1 kΩm for fully saturated samples. In the low-frequency range up to 100 Hz, an Archie-type relationship may be used to estimate the water content of the rock-salt from resistivity measurements. The Archie exponent m is found to be approximately 2. The resistivity is observed to be strongly dependent on frequency. The resistivity decreases with increasing frequency, with a greater decrease for small saturations and vanishing frequency dependence at complete saturation. The relative dielectric constant was found to be 6 ± 1. Saturation dependence was not observed within this error range. The measurements imply that, by measuring resistivity in rock-salt, estimations of water content and saturation, and thus the porosity, can be made in situ. This is particularly important for the safety of nuclear waste disposal in rock-salt.     

The dynamics of rupture in porous media

This paper presents a laboratory investigation of electric resistivity parameter for samples subject to loading in automatic press of INOVA type. The procedure of automatic quasi-continuous measurements of resistivity is briefly outlined. The distribution of mini-electrodes within the sample is described. Also shown is the manner in which reliability can be improved by increasing the repetition of resistivity measurements (every 7–16 s).     

Geoelectric structure of the Ein Gedi sinkhole occurrence site at the Dead Sea shore in Israel

Hazardous sinkholes started to appear in alluvial fans and unconsolidated sediments along the western Dead Sea coast in 1990. Since then hundreds of sinkholes have appeared from north to south along the shoreline. The Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method was used to achieve a better understanding of the subsurface geoelectric structure at the sinkhole development sites, taking into account that electric parameters (such as resistivity or conductivity) are very sensitive to formation properties and their variations in time. Fifteen image lines were surveyed at the Ein Gedi area during a period of active sinkhole development (in 2001–2002) over an area of 300 × 550 m². Resistivity cross-sections and maps were constructed from 2-D linear surveys. The process of sinkhole formation in the surveyed area is located in a strip 50–70 m wide and 300–500 m long, extending approximately in a north–south direction. The sinkholes are arranged along a tortuous line within this strip. On resistivity maps and sections this U-shaped zone appears as an alternation of high resistivity anomalies of 350–1000 Ωm (at sinkhole group locations) with narrow background resistivity zones of 50–100 Ωm. The large size of resistivity anomalies (250 × 300 m²), which are considerably greater than those of the sinkholes, form one of the features of the sinkhole sites in the Ein Gedi area. The anomalies continue down to the water table or even deeper (maximum of 25–35 m depth). A low resistivity layer of 1–8 Ωm underlies them. The combined analysis of the image results and other geophysical data shows that high resistivity anomalies are associated with the decompaction of the soil mass at the sinkhole development sites and surrounding areas. Recent studies have shown that sinkholes in the Ein Gedi area are developing along the salt western edge located at a depth of 50 m. The subsurface high resistivity anomaly conforms to the sinkhole line (and salt boundary). They are presumably located above the great dissolution caverns at the salt edge. The heterogeneity of the resistivity structure within the high resistivity anomaly (seen in both lateral and vertical planes) confirms that a disintegration of internal formation structure takes place. Away from the sinkhole sites the subsurface resistivity distribution is homogeneous.     

Strain-geoelectric resistivity precursor and the virtual dislocation model to the Tangshan earthquake

The complete records of geoelectric resistivity before two earthquakes were analyzed, including 16 stations within 240 km around the Tangshan earthquake and 2 stations within 50–60 km from theM6.1 Datong earthquake. By eliminating various disturbances in the records and realizing the precursory anomalies to be reliable, the authors studied the distribution of the geoelectric precursor field, which proves to be physically related to the earthquake source stress field. Comparision of the sign distribution of coseismic resistivity changes with the solution of earthquake source mechanism indicates that, the coseismic resistivity changes are of opposite sign but similar spatial distribution with respect to the corresponding resistivity precursor changes. Therefore, from the resistivity observations we are of the opinion that the Tangshan earthquake is an elastic rebound process. A virtual dislocation model of geoelectric precursor for the Tangshan earthquake is proposed, in which the geoelectric precursors are supposed to be caused by the strain accumulation due to a virtual dislocation, which is opposite in sign to the actual slip taking place at the earthquake occurrence. Taking into account of the non-linear characteristics of the amplification factorK=(Δρ/ρ)/ɛ in a range of 10⁻⁷–10⁻⁵ strain changes, the theoretical distribution of geoelectric precursors for the Tangshan earthquake was calculated based on the theory of fracture mechanics and reasonably selected dislocation parameters. The results show that the semi-quantitative theoretical values are in good agreement with the observed, suggesting that the virtual dislocation model of the geoelectric precursor is appropriate to the Tangshan earthquake. Contribution No. 96A0023, Institute of Geophysics, SSB, China. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Science and Technology Department of SSB.