Estimation of the mass density contrasts and the 3D geometrical shape of the source bodies in the Yilgarn area, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia

We invert 2D surface gravity data constrained both by geological and seismic information. We use a number of pre-processing tools in order to reduce the general multi-body inversion into several single-body inversions, whereby we can reduce the overall complexity of the inversion task. This is done with as few assumptions as possible. Furthermore, for a single-body inversion we uncouple the determination of the shape of the causative sources from the determination of their mass density contrast to the surroundings. The inversion for the geometrical shape of the source body is done in steps. Firstly, a rough 3D shape of the source is modelled—a model consisting of the vertical mass columns of equal height. The horizontal extension is implied by the surface gravity signal. Subsequently, the shape of each source body is modified to obtain a better fit to the surface gravity data. In each modification step, the overall change of the shape of the source body is followed by an update of the mass density contrast to the surroundings. The technique was applied to a set of gravity data from the Eastern Goldfield area in Western Australia. The area has been widely studied in the past. In 1999, two seismic profiles that cross-sect the area were measured. Furthermore, an extensive geological modelling for the area has been conducted. The practical goal of this work was to verify the geological interpretation using the potential field data (mainly the gravity data although magnetic data were also available) and only weakly constrained by the seismic information. The result was the reconstruction of the ‘rough’ 3D geometry of the source bodies and the estimation of a constant mass density contrast to the surroundings. A possible extension of this technique for detailed studies of the geological model is briefly discussed.     

Three‐dimensional potential field data inversion with L0 quasinorm sparse constraints

The quantitative explanation of the potential field data of three‐dimensional geological structures remains one of the most challenging issues in modern geophysical inversion. Obtaining a stable solution that can simultaneously resolve complicated geological structures is a critical inverse problem in the geophysics field. I have developed a new method for determining a three‐dimensional petrophysical property distribution, which produces a corresponding potential field anomaly. In contrast with the tradition inverse algorithm, my inversion method proposes a new model norm, which incorporates two important weighting functions. One is the L0 quasi norm (enforcing sparse constraints), and the other is depth‐weighting that counteracts the influence of source depth on the resulting potential field data of the solution. Sparseness constraints are imposed by using the L0 quasinorm on model parameters. To solve the representation problem, an L0 quasinorm minimisation model with different smooth approximations is proposed. Hence, the data space (N) method, which is much smaller than model space (M), combined with the gradient‐projected method, and the model space, combined with the modified Newton method for L0 quasinorm sparse constraints, leads to a computationally efficient method by using an N × N system versus an M × M one because N ? M. Tests on synthetic data and real datasets demonstrate the stability and validity of the L0 quasinorm spare norms inversion method. With the aim of obtaining the blocky results, the inversion method with the L0 quasinorm sparse constraints method performs better than the traditional L2 norm (standard Tikhonov regularisation). It can obtain the focus and sparse results easily. Then, the Bouguer anomaly survey data of the salt dome, offshore Louisiana, is considered as a real case study. The real inversion result shows that the inclusion the L0 quasinorm sparse constraints leads to a simpler and better resolved solution, and the density distribution is obtained in this area to reveal its geological structure. These results confirm the validity of the L0 quasinorm sparse constraints method and indicate its application for other potential field data inversions and the exploration of geological structures.     

A 3D gravity data interpretation of the Matagami mining camp, Abitibi Subprovince, Superior Province, Québec, Canada: Application to VMS deposit exploration

Two inversions, unconstrained and constrained, of a gravity survey of the Matagami mining camp (Abitibi Archaean Subprovince, Canada) have been performed in order to identify the downward extension of a rhyolitic horizon hosting VMS-type base metals deposit and the morphologies of the major felsic plutons. A comparative study exhibits the similarities between measured and calculated densities from chemical compositions of the Matagami lithologies. This allows building an initial 3D geodensity model which integrates densities and available structural and geological surface mapping data. This model is integrated during the iteration process of the constrained inversion in the objective function. The resulting true density model and two derived cross-sections upgrade the 3D imaging of this area. Also, the model gives new insight for regional geological interpretation exposing possible shapes of the main geological units at depth and suggests the potential existence of deep fertile geological bodies.     

3-D inversion of MT data from the Sabalan geothermal field,Ardabil, Iran

Since the true Earth is 3-D in nature, a three-dimensional (3-D) inversion has clear advantages over lower dimensional inversions. We utilized a 3-D magnetotelluric (MT) inversion code, WSINV3DMT, to obtain a realistic resistivity model using a long period MT data set collected in the Northwest Sabalan geothermal field in Ardabil, Iran. The apparent resistivity and phase curves, the magnetic induction vectors, the impedance polar diagrams and the rotational invariant of impedance tensor, indicate a complex 3-D conductivity structure. After setting up the model parameters and designing the appropriate block discretization, we performed the 3-D inversions for two sets of observed data; one set includes the full MT impedance tensor and another set contains only off-diagonal elements of the MT impedance. The final model was selected according to the relative magnitude of the data misfit and the model norm with respect to various Lagrangian multipliers. The results of this study illustrate the 3-D inversion of the off-diagonal elements of MT impedance tensor is precisely enough to explain the structures related to the geothermal source. The obtained results were compared with the results of available 2-D models and they are then interpreted using all of the geological and drilling data of the area. The main outcome of this study is the precise delineation of the geometry of geothermal source that is located at the center of the study area with a surface coverage of about 7 km².     

Crustal structure of eastern Cuba,derived by constrained 3D gravity inversion

A three-dimensional crustal model for Eastern Cuba, obtained through a process of gravity data inversion is presented. The study area cover a rectangular area of 64 600 km². The initial model for the inversion was constrained by surface geology, seismic and drilling data. The inversion algorithm uses gravity data to estimate 3-D topographies from the main geological units. The model provides quantitative information on the depths and thicknesses of the geological formations. The resulting model provides new information about the regional composition of the crust. Alien sequences are observed with different compositions and origin over the basement of Bahamas carbonate platform. Most of the maximum gravity anomalies are associated with presence of dense shallow ophiolite sheets. The most remarkable detail is the gravity “southwest” maximum, related to the presence of denser oceanic crust generated in the Cayman spreading center.     

基于局部相关性约束的三维大地电磁数据和重力数据的联合反演

为解决地球物理反演中多解性的问题,综合多种地球物理信息的联合反演受到了广泛的关注.本文依据不同地球物理响应可能由相同异常体引起,而不同地球物理分布参数之间存在相关性等特点,提出了一种基于局部Pearson相关系数约束的联合反演方法.该方法假设每个局部区域模型参数的分布具有线性相关特性,在拟合不同类型观测数据时,对局部模型参数施加相关性约束,进行联合反演以减少多解性.本文采用交替迭代联合反演流程,改善了同一目标函数下联合反演收敛性和速度问题.基于新的联合反演方法和流程,我们测试了三维大地电磁和重力仿真数据的联合反演.结果表明,本文提出的基于局部相关性约束的联合反演方法,能充分利用大地电磁和重力观测数据信息,有效改善单一地球物理反演收敛性和多解性的问题,反演效果得到明显提升.     

Pseudo-3D constrained inversion of transient electromagnetic data for a polarizable SMS hydrothermal system in the Deep Sea

Seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits are generated by high-temperature hydrothermal systems. Their precious resources have attracted global interest. A number of investigations with controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) methods have been implemented in recent years. There are three major problems with SMS surveying using EM methods. First, SMS imaging techniques for hydrothermal systems have a limited range. Simulations and applications have validated only simple layered models. Second, their inversion efficiencies must be improved further. Laterally constrained inversions and spatially constrained inversions are usually used to map geological structures. However, choosing their suitable weighting parameters is inefficient. Third, the effects of induced polarization (IP) on ore deposits are not considered in such inversions. A non-polarizable model is unable to accurately depict a polarizable model. To resolve these problems, an advanced strategy is used to improve the efficiency of the pseudo-3D inversion process. The proposed imaging method has the ability to map complex 3D geoelectrical structures, and therefore, it can both obtain information regarding surface ore deposits and distinguish between active and inactive hydrothermal systems. However, this method can also be used to depict the distributions of alteration zones and buried deposits. Furthermore, the influences of IP on the inversion are discussed with respect to the Cole- Cole model, and it is shown that the effects of IP on polarizable deposits cannot be ignored during the inversion.     

部分区域约束下的交叉梯度多重地球物理数据联合反演

交叉梯度联合反演方法通过对多种地球物理模型实现结构耦合,在岩石物性关系不确定的情况下,既能提高反演结果的可靠性,又能减少反演的多解性,还能减少不同方法解释结果之间的矛盾.当不同的模型观测数据覆盖范围不一致时,交叉梯度联合反演通常需要取出重叠区域数据进行联合反演,并且建模时还要扩展一些模型范围.本文首先提出并实现了部分区域约束下的交叉梯度多重地球物理数据联合反演算法;接着进行了算法的模型试算;最后,我们将该反演算法用于本溪—集安深部地质调查重磁电综合地质地球物理解释中.结果表明:该算法不但能在重叠区域内很好地恢复结构相似的模型,而且在非重叠区域与重叠区域的边界处仍然可以得到平滑变化的模型;在本溪—集安10号剖面所获得的结构上相似的电阻率、密度及磁化率模型较好地反映了该区的深部地质结构,对于确定深部地质体的性质提供了有力的证据.     

Silicic lava dome growth in the 1934–1935 Showa Iwo-jima eruption, Kikai caldera, south of Kyushu, Japan

The 1934–1935 Showa Iwo-jima eruption started with a silicic lava extrusion onto the floor of the submarine Kikai caldera and ceased with the emergence of a lava dome. The central part of the emergent dome consists of lower microcrystalline rhyolite, grading upward into finely vesicular lava, overlain by coarsely vesicular lava with pumice breccia at the top. The lava surface is folded, and folds become tighter toward the marginal part of the dome. The dome margin is characterized by two zones: a fracture zone and a breccia zone. The fracture zone is composed of alternating layers of massive lava and welded oxidized breccia. The breccia zone is the outermost part of the dome, and consists of glassy breccia interpreted to be hyaloclastite. The lava dome contains lava with two slightly different chemical compositions; the marginal part being more dacitic and the central part more rhyolitic. The fold geometry and chemical compositions indicate that the marginal dacite had a slightly higher temperature, lower viscosity, and lower yield stress than the central rhyolite. The high-temperature dacite lava began to effuse in the earlier stage from the central crater. The front of the dome came in contact with seawater and formed hyaloclastite. During the later stage, low-temperature rhyolite lava effused subaerially. As lava was injected into the growing dome, the fracture zone was produced by successive fracturing, ramping, and brecciation of the moving dome front. In the marginal part, hyaloclastite was ramped above the sea surface by progressive increments of the new lava. The central part was folded, forming pumice breccia and wrinkles. Subaerial emplacement of lava was the dominant process during the growth of the Showa Iwo-jima dome.Editorial Responsibility J. McPhie     

Geodetic and seismic constraints on recent activity at Long Valley Caldera,California: evidence for viscoelastic rheology

Long Valley Caldera is an active volcanic region in east central California. Surface deformation on the resurgent dome within the caldera was an order of magnitude higher for the five-month period September 1997 through January 1998 compared to the previous three-year average. However, the location of the immediate (shallow) source of deformation remained essentially constant, 5–7 km beneath the dome, near the top of a region of probable magma accumulation defined by seismic data. Similarly, although the rate of seismic moment release increased dramatically, earthquake locations remained similar to earlier periods. The rate of deformation increased exponentially between April–May 1997 and late November 1997 with a time constant of ∼55–65 days, after which it decreased exponentially with about the same time constant. We develop a model consistent with these observations and also consistent with independent constraints on sub-surface rheology from thermal, geochemical and laboratory data. Deformation at sites on the resurgent dome most sensitive to the shallow deformation source are well fit by a model with a single pressure source at 6 km depth which experienced a pressure pulse that began in late 1996, peaked in November 1997, close to the time of major seismic moment release, and essentially ended in mid-1999. The pressure source in our model is surrounded by a 1 km thick “shell” of Maxwell viscoelastic material (shell viscosity 10¹⁶ Pa s) within an elastic half space, and has peak values that are much lower than corresponding purely elastic half space models. The shell viscosity is characteristic of a weak, deformable solid, e.g. quartz-bearing country rock surrounding the magma chamber at temperatures in the range 500–600°C, i.e. above the brittle–ductile transition, and/or largely crystallized rhyolite near its solidus temperature of ∼670°C, material that probably exists near the top of the zoned magma chamber at Long Valley.     

3D Gravity Inversion using Tikhonov Regularization

Subsalt exploration for oil and gas is attractive in regions where 3D seismic depth-migration to recover the geometry of a salt base is difficult. Additional information to reduce the ambiguity in seismic images would be beneficial. Gravity data often serve these purposes in the petroleum industry. In this paper, the authors present an algorithm for a gravity inversion based on Tikhonov regularization and an automatically regularized solution process. They examined the 3D Euler deconvolution to extract the best anomaly source depth as a priori information to invert the gravity data and provided a synthetic example. Finally, they applied the gravity inversion to recently obtained gravity data from the Bandar Charak (Hormozgan, Iran) to identify its subsurface density structure. Their model showed the 3D shape of salt dome in this region.     

基于地质体空间位置优化约束的航空重力梯度数据三维物性反演

重力数据的物性反演面临着严重的多解性问题,降低多解性的有效手段是加入约束条件.而边界识别、深度估计及成像方法可获取地质体的水平位置、深度范围等几何参数信息,本文将基于数据本身挖掘的地质体几何参数信息约束到物性反演中,以降低反演的多解性.通过引入基于深度信息的深度加权函数及基于水平位置的水平梯度加权函数建立优化约束条件,有效地提高了反演结果的横向及纵向分辨率.重力梯度数据包含更多的地质体空间特征信息,将优化约束反演方法应用到全张量数据的反演中,模型试验表明本文方法反演结果与理论模型更加吻合.最后对美国路易斯安那州文顿盐丘实测航空重力梯度数据的应用表明,本文方法在其他地球物理、地质资料不足的情况下获得更可靠的反演结果.     

Constraints in 3D gravity inversion

A three-dimensional (3D) inversion program is developed to interpret gravity data using a selection of constraints. This selection includes minimum distance, flatness, smoothness and compactness constraints, which can be combined using a Lagrangian formulation. A multigrid technique is also implemented to resolve separately large and short gravity wavelengths. The subsurface in the survey area is divided into rectangular prismatic blocks and the problem is solved by calculating the model parameters, i.e. the densities of each block. Weights are given to each block depending on depth, a priori information on density and the density range allowed for the region under investigation. The present computer code is tested on modelled data for a dipping dike and multiple bodies. Results combining different constraints and a weight depending on depth are shown for the dipping dike. The advantages and behaviour of each method are compared in the 3D reconstruction. Recovery of geometry (depth, size) and density distribution of the original model is dependent on the set of constraints used. From experimentation, the best combination of constraints for multiple bodies seems to be flatness and a minimum volume for the multiple bodies. The inversion method is tested on real gravity data from the Rouyn-Noranda (Quebec) mining camp. The 3D inversion model for the first 10 km is in agreement with the known major lithological contacts at the surface; it enables the determination of the geometry of plutons and intrusive rocks at depth.     

基于曲波变换的大地电磁二维稀疏正则化反演

为了提高二维大地电磁反演对异常体边界的刻画能力,我们引入曲波变换建立一种新的稀疏正则化反演方法.与传统的在空间域中对模型电阻率参数求解的方式不同,我们借助曲波变换将二维电阻率模型转换为曲波系数,并采用L1范数约束以保证系数的稀疏性.曲波变换是一种多尺度分析方法,其系数分为粗尺度系数和精细尺度系数,粗尺度的系数代表电阻率模型的整体概貌,而精细尺度中较大系数代表目标体的边缘细节.此外,曲波变换的窗函数满足各向异性尺度关系,并具有多方向性,因此曲波变换可以近似最佳地提取目标体的边缘特征信息,这为我们在反演中恢复边界提供有利条件.通过对大地电磁的理论模型合成数据和实测数据反演,验证了基于曲波变换稀疏正则化反演对异常体边界的刻画能力优于常规的L2范数和L1范数反演方法.     

3D electrical resistivity inversion using prior spatial shape constraints

To minimize the number of solutions in 3D resistivity inversion, an inherent problem in inversion, the amount of data considered have to be large and prior constraints need to be applied. Geological and geophysical data regarding the extent of a geological anomaly are important prior information. We propose the use of shape constraints in 3D electrical resistivity inversion, Three weighted orthogonal vectors （a normal and two tangent vectors） were used to control the resistivity differences at the boundaries of the anomaly. The spatial shape of the anomaly and the constraints on the boundaries of the anomaly are thus established. We incorporated the spatial shape constraints in the objective function of the 3D resistivity inversion and constructed the 3D resistivity inversion equation with spatial shape constraints. Subsequently, we used numerical modeling based on prior spatial shape data to constrain the direction vectors and weights of the 3D resistivity inversion. We established a reasonable range between the direction vectors and weights, and verified the feasibility and effectiveness of using spatial shape prior constraints in reducing excessive structures and the number of solutions. We applied the prior spatially shape-constrained inversion method to locate the aquifer at the Guangzhou subway. The spatial shape constraints were taken from ground penetrating radar data. The inversion results for the location and shape of the aquifer agree well with drilling data, and the number of inversion solutions is significantly reduced.     

Application of 2D magnetotelluric methods in a geological complex area, Xinjiang, China

Magnetotelluric (MT) data along two profiles were collected in Tulargen Cu-Ni mining area, Xinjiang, China. The MT profiles, crossing the known ore-bearing magmatic body, are interpreted to have further understanding of the ore-bearing magmatic bodies' stretch and shape in depth, and to evaluate the prospect in the mining area. The values of phase sensitivity skewness indicate a contaminated two-dimensional (2D) structure (there exist local three-dimensional (3D) structures at shallow level) over 3D structures. G-B decomposition of the impedance tensors indicates the dominant geoelectrical strike in survey area is in East-West direction. To obtain reliable electrical structures, four different 2D inversion codes as REBOCC, NLCG, OCCAM, and ABIC are adopted, inversions of a synthetic 3D model using these codes indicate TM data are more suitable to invert the electrical structures along the profiles in Tulargen Cu-Ni mining area, while TE and TE + TM inversions can be used to verify the transverse variation of electrical structures at shallow level. The 2D electrical structures show high-resistivity basement covered by relatively low-resistivity strata in the mining area, the conductive anomalies are imbedded in the upper covers. The known ore-bearing magmatic body is coincided with the positions of two conductive anomalies in both profiles at shallow level; its extension at depth is deduced according to the shapes of the anomalies. Other conductive anomalies, isolated and existing only at limited depth as the known ore-bearing magmatic body, are presumed of good prospect.     

一种高效的基于交叉梯度结构约束的三维地震走时与直流电阻率联合反演策略

基于交叉梯度结构约束的不同数据的联合反演可以提高地球物理成像的可靠度,但是由于不同观测数据对地下介质的灵敏度不同以及不同反演系统灵敏度矩阵元素的数值可能存在较大的差异,导致构建和求解联合反演系统存在很大的挑战.针对以上问题,本文提出一种新的基于单独反演模型更新量与交叉梯度结构约束相结合的联合反演策略.该策略利用单独反演系统分别确定出各个模型的更新量,然后利用它们约束交叉梯度系统的反演,得出新的模型更新量.通过这样的方式,有效实现了数据拟合与结构约束的平衡,实现了基于交叉梯度联合反演的目标.新的联合反演策略不需要对原来单独反演程序修改即可实现联合反演,减小了联合反演实现的难度,极大地提高了联合反演的易实现性,而且避免了联合反演矩阵存储及结构过于复杂难以求解的问题.基于新的策略,本文首次实现了基于交叉梯度结构约束的三维地震走时与直流电阻率联合反演.合成模型测试表明,与单一成像相比,联合成像减少了地震走时反演中出现的干扰异常并提高了电阻率反演的分辨率.     

Zeolitization of intracaldera sediments and rhyolitic rocks in the 1.25 Ma lake of Valles caldera,New Mexico,USA

Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of about 80 rhyolite and associated lacustrine rocks has characterized previously unrecognized zeolitic alteration throughout the Valles caldera resurgent dome. The alteration assemblage consists primarily of smectite–clinoptilolite–mordenite–silica, which replaces groundmass and fills voids, especially in the tuffs and lacustrine rocks. Original rock textures are routinely preserved. Mineralization typically extends to depths of only a few tens of meters and resembles shallow “caldera-type zeolitization” as defined by Utada et al. [Utada, M., Shimizu, M., Ito, T., Inoue, A., 1999. Alteration of caldera-forming rocks related to the Sanzugawa volcanotectonic depression, northeast Honshu, Japan — with special reference to “caldera-type zeolitization.” Resource Geol. Spec. Issue No. 20, 129–140]. Geology and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates limit the period of extensive zeolite growth to roughly the first 30 kyr after the current caldera formed (ca. 1.25 to 1.22 Ma). Zeolitic alteration was promoted by saturation of shallow rocks with alkaline lake water (a mixture of meteoric waters and degassed hydrothermal fluids) and by high thermal gradients caused by cooling of the underlying magma body and earliest post-caldera rhyolite eruptions. Zeolitic alteration of this type is not found in the later volcanic and lacustrine rocks of the caldera moat (≤ 0.8 Ma) suggesting that later lake waters were cooler and less alkaline. The shallow zeolitic alteration does not have characteristics resembling classic, alkaline lake zeolite deposits (no analcime, erionite, or chabazite) nor does it contain zeolites common in high-temperature hydrothermal systems (laumontite or wairakite). Although aerially extensive, the early zeolitic alteration does not form laterally continuous beds and are consequently, not of economic significance.     

Using constrained inversion of gravity and magnetic field to produce a 3D litho‐prediction model

Geologically constrained inversion of gravity and magnetic field data of the Victoria property (located in Sudbury, Canada) was undertaken in order to update the present three‐dimensional geological model. The initial and reference model was constructed based on geological information from over 950 drillholes to constrain the inversion. In addition, downhole density and magnetic susceptibility measured in six holes were statistically analysed to derive lower and upper bounds on the physical properties attributed to the lithological units in the reference model. Constrained inversion of the ground gravity and the airborne magnetic data collected at the Victoria property were performed using GRAV3D and MAG3D, respectively. A neural network was trained to predict lithological units from the physical properties measured in six holes. Then, the trained network was applied on the three‐dimensional distribution of physical properties derived from the inversion models to produce a three‐dimensional litho‐prediction model. Some of the features evident in the lithological model are remnants of the constraints, where the data did not demand a significant change in the model from the initial constraining model (e.g., the thin pair of diabase dykes). However, some important changes away from the initial model are evident; for example, a larger body was predicted for quartz diorite, which may be related to the prospective offset dykes; a new zone was predicted as sulfide, which may represent potential mineralisation; and a geophysical subcategory of metabasalt was identified with high magnetic susceptibility and high density. The litho‐prediction model agrees with the geological expectation for the three‐dimensional structure at Victoria and is consistent with the geophysical data, which results in a more holistic understanding of the subsurface lithology.     

APPLYING 3D INVERSION OF SINGLE-PROFILE MAGNETOTELLURIC DATA TO IDENTIFY THE SHADE AND YUNONGXI FAULTS

Many synthetic model studies suggested that the best way to obtain good 3D interpretation results is to distribute the MT sites at a 2D grid array with regular site spacing over the target area. However, MT 3D inversion was very difficult about 10 years ago. A lot of MT data were collected along one profile and then interpreted with 2D inversion. How to apply the state-of-the-art 3D inversion technique to interpret the accumulated mass MT profiles data is an important topic. Some studies on 3D inversion of measured MT profile data suggested that 2D inversions usually had higher resolution for the subsurface than 3D inversions. Meanwhile, they often made their interpretation based on 2D inversion results, and 3D inversion results were only used to evaluate whether the overall resistivity structures were correct. Some researchers thought that 3D inversions could not resolute the local structure well, while 2D inversion results could agree with the surface geologic features much well and interpret the geologic structures easily. But in the present paper, we find that the result of 3D inversion is better than that of 2D inversion in identifying the location of the two local faults, the Shade Fault(SDF)and the Yunongxi Fault(YNXF), and the deep structures. In this paper, we first studied the electrical structure of SDF and YNXF based on a measured magnetotelluric(MT) profile data. Besides, from the point of identifying active faults, we compared the capacity of identifying deep existing faults between 2D inversion models and 3D models with different inversion parameters. The results show that both 2D and 3D inversion of the single-profile data could obtain reasonable and reliable electrical structures on a regional scale. Combining 2D and 3D models, and according to our present data, we find that both SDF and YNXF probably have cut completely the high resistivity layer in the upper crust and extended to the high conductivity layer in the middle crust. In terms of the deep geometry of the faults, at the profile's location, the SDF dips nearly vertically or dips southeast with high dip angle, and the YNXF dips southeast at depth. In addition, according to the results from our measured MT profile, we find that the 3D inversion of single-profile MT data has the capacity of identifying the location and deep geometry of local faults under present computing ability. Finally, this research suggests that appropriate cell size and reasonable smoothing parameters are important factors for the 3D inversion of single-profile MT data, more specifically, too coarse meshes or too large smoothing parameters on horizontal direction of 3D inversion may result in low resolution of 3D inversions that cannot identify the structure of faults. While, for vertical mesh size and data error thresholds, they have limited effect on identifying shallow tectonics as long as their changes are within a reasonable range. 3D inversion results also indicate that, to some extent, adding tippers to the 3D inversion of a MT profile can improve the model's constraint on the deep geometry of the outcropped faults.