GEOELECTRICAL MODEL CALCULATIONS FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL RESISTIVITY DISTRIBUTIONS*

For the calculation of geoelectrical model curves for a two-dimensional resistivity distribution, the potential equation is transformed by means of a Fourier cosine transform into a two-dimensional Helmholtz equation containing the separation parameter λ. The numerical solution of this equation for different values of λ for an irregular grid is obtained using the method of finite differences combined with the method of overrelaxation. The method by which derivatives are replaced by finite differences turned out to be very important, especially for high resistivity contrasts. After testing several methods designed to deal with any type of resistivity distribution, a method of discretization similar to that used by Brewitt—Taylor and Weaver (1976) for magnetotelluric modeling for H polarization was found the best. Examples are given of model curves for Schlumberger soundings over a vertical fault covered by overburden. The incorrect use of horizontal-layer models leads to erroneous interpretations that are more complex than the real subsurface situations.