Preface to the Special Issue on “The 21st Electromagnetic Induction Workshop”

Abstract

Electromagnetic (EM) induction methods are used and continue to be developed for a wide range of applications, ranging from exploration near the Earth’s surface to the investigations of the deep mantle. In this research, important scientific and societal challenges, such as to search for hydrocarbons and other Earth resources, to probe the structure and dynamics of the lithosphere, to study environmental issues and to monitor and mitigate natural hazards, are addressed. The Working Group I-2 of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy on ‘‘Electromagnetic Induction in the Earth’’ has held biennial workshops since the Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Workshop of 1972. Here, selected topics are extensively explored by the participants, in the form of oral and poster presentations and discussion sessions. An essential and important part of the EM Induction Workshops (EMIWs) has been invited review presentations on themes selected by the program committee. These themes vary from workshop to workshop; usually, they highlight recent advances in the rapidly evolving fields of electromagnetic induction and introduce the important new directions of research as well as highlight and review results focusing on certain geological targets. The review papers presented at the workshops have traditionally been published as Special Issues of Surveys in Geophysics/Geophysical Surveys since the 1978 workshop in Murnau, Germany. This Special Issue of Surveys in Geophysics contains nine expanded articles from review papers presented at the 21st Workshop on Electromagnetic Induction in the Earth. The workshop was held between 25 and 31 July, 2012, in Darwin, Australia. It was organised by the Working Group I-2 of the International Association of Geomagnetism and