Use of block inversion in the 2-D interpretation of apparent resistivity data and its comparison with smooth inversion

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The ability of a block inversion scheme, in which polygons are employed to define layers and/or bodies of equal resistivity, in determining the geometry and true resistivity of subsurface structures has been investigated and a simple strategy for deriving the starting model is proposed. A comparison has also been made between block inversion and smooth inversion, the latter being a cell-based scheme. The study entailed the calculation (by forward modelling) of the synthetic data over 2-D geologic models and inversion of the data. The 2-D structures modelled include vertical fault, graben and horst. The Wenner array was used. The results show that the images obtained from smooth inversion are very useful in determining the geometry; however, they can only provide guides to the true resistivity because of the smearing effects. It is shown that the starting model for block inversion can be based on a plane layer earth model. In the presence of sharp, rather than gradational, resistivity discontinuities, the model from block inversion more adequately represents the true subsurface geology, in terms of both the geometry and the formation resistivity. Field examples from a crystalline basement area of Nigeria are presented to demonstrate the versatility of the two resistivity inversion schemes.