Long-offset Transient Electromagnetic Research Articles

Comparison of short-offset and long-offset grounded-wire transient electromagnetic responses based on the 3D model

In this study, a recently developed time-domain electromagnetic method called the short-offset grounded-wire transient electromagnetic (SOTEM) method, which is a near-source observation method, was adopted to obtain strong signals and great detection depths. The responses of the SOTEM and long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) methods were compared to further guide and promote the SOTEM method. Currently, the comparison between SOTEM and LOTEM methods is primarily based on one-dimensional (1D) models. However, most geological bodies are three-dimensional (3D) structures. We investigated the responses of a grounded-wire transient electromagnetic method based on 3D models using the 3D finite-difference time-domain method. In addition, the signal strengths, detection sensitivities and detection depths of the SOTEM and LOTEM methods were compared. The results revealed that the field amplitudes of Ex (electrical component parallel to the transmitting source) and ∂By/∂t (magnetic component perpendicular to the transmitting source horizontally) were higher at the short offsets than at the long offsets. For the ∂Bx/∂t (magnetic component parallel to the transmitting source) and the vertical magnetic component ∂Bz/∂t, at initial times, the responses received would be stronger when closer to the transmitting source, whereas at later times, the responses would be stronger when farther from the source. Ex detection sensitivity increased with an increase in the offset at initial times, and increased with a decrease in the offset at later times. The detection sensitivities of the three magnetic field components at short offsets were higher than those at long offsets. The ∂By/∂t effective detection depth was the greatest. Generally, the effective detection depths of the three magnetic field components increased with decreasing offset. The range of the ratio of the horizontal distance, r, between the transmitting source and the target body to the effective detection depth H was 0.5-1.1.

Comparison of novel semi-airborne electromagnetic data with multi-scale geophysical, petrophysical and geological data from Schleiz, Germany

In the framework of the Deep Electromagnetic Sounding for Mineral EXploration (DESMEX) project, we carried out multiple geophysical surveys from regional to local scales in a former mining area in the state of Thuringia, Germany. We prove the applicability of newly developed semi-airborne electromagnetic (EM) systems for mineral exploration by cross-validating inversion results with those of established airborne and ground-based investigation techniques. In addition, supporting petrophysical and geological information to our geophysical measurements allowed the synthesis of all datasets over multiple scales.An initial regional-scale reconnaissance survey was performed with BGR's standard helicopter-borne geophysical system deployed with frequency-domain electromagnetic (HEM), magnetic and radiometric sensors. In addition to geological considerations, the HEM results served as base-line information for the selection of an optimal location for the intermediate-scale semi-airborne EM experiments. The semi-airborne surveys utilized long grounded transmitters and two independent airborne receiver instruments: induction coil magnetometers and SQUID sensors. Due to the limited investigation depth of the HEM method, local-scale electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) measurements were carried out on a reference profile, enabling the validation of inversion results at greater depths.The comparison of all inversion results provided a consistent overall resistivity distribution. It further confirmed that both semi-airborne receiver instruments achieve the bandwidth and sensitivity required for the investigation of the resistivity structure down to 1 km depth and therewith the detection of deeply seated earth resources. A 3D geological model, lithological and geophysical borehole logs as well as petrophysical investigations were integrated to interpret of the geophysical results. Distinct highly-conductive anomalies with resistivities of less than 10 Ωm were identified as alum shales over all scales. Apart from that, the petrophysical investigations exhibited that correlating geophysical and geological information using only one single parameter, such as the electrical resistivity, is hardly possible. Therefore, we developed a first approach based on clustering methods and self-organizing maps (SOMs) that allowed us to assign geological units at the surface to a given combination of geophysical and petrophysical parameters, obtained on different scales.

ESTIMATES OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DYNAMICS OF GEOPHYSICAL PARAMETERS AND THE STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF GEOENVIRONMENT

The RAS Research Station started geodynamical research at the Bishkek Geodynamic Test Area (BGTA) in 1980s. This test area is located in the Northern Tien Shan, one of most seismically active zones of Central Asia. The distribution patterns of crustal deformation in space and time are investigated by a complex of geophysical, seismological and geodesic methods. Long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) technique is an important component of the geophysical research carried out at BGTA with the focus on forecasting of seismic activity dynamics. LOTEM is considered to be one of the most informative methods for obtaining data on multilayered conductive anisotropic geologic environment. This article presents the results of integrated interpretation of LOTEM sounding data recorded at permanent electro-magnetic monitoring stations, Ak-Suu and Shavai. The time series of specific electrical resistance are analyzed to reveal a correlation with the stress-strain state of the geologic environment and seismic process in the study region in the period from January 2016 to October 2018. It is established that the deformation process taking place at a depth of more than 8.0 km is reflected in the time series of specific electrical resistance in the form of bay-shaped negative variations. A decrease of apparent resistance is observed when the receiver dipoles of the measurement unit are arranged in the meridian (N-S) direction. The periods of compression in the submeridional direction coincide with the periods with the highest density of seismic events. A comparison of earthquake hypocenter locations against the topographic relief and the data on regional faults shows the maximum density of hypocenters at the axial parts of Northern Tien Shan ridges.

Effects of electrical anisotropy on long-offset transient electromagnetic data

SUMMARY Electrical anisotropy of formations has been long recognized by field and laboratory evidence. However, most interpretations of long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) data are based on the assumption of an electrical isotropic earth. Neglecting electrical anisotropy of formations may cause severe misleading interpretations in regions with strong electrical anisotropy. During a large scale LOTEM survey in a former mining area in Eastern Germany, data was acquired over black shale formations. These black shales are expected to produce a pronounced bulk anisotropy. Here, we investigate the effects of electrical anisotropy on LOTEM responses through numerical simulation using a finite-volume time-domain (FVTD) algorithm. On the basis of isotropic models obtained from LOTEM field data, various anisotropic models are developed and analysed. Numerical results demonstrate that the presence of electrical anisotropy has a significant influence on LOTEM responses. Based on the numerical modelling results, an isolated deep conductive anomaly presented in the 2-D isotropic LOTEM electric field data inversion result is identified as a possible artifact introduced by using an isotropic inversion scheme. Trial-and-error forward modelling of the LOTEM electric field data using an anisotropic conductivity model can explain the data and results in a reasonable quantitative data fit. The derived anisotropic 2-D model is consistent with the prior geological information.

Analysis of Long-offset Transient Electromagnetic (LOTEM) Data in Time, Frequency, and Pseudo-seismic Domain

Long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) has received great attention in mineral, hydrocarbon and hydrogeological investigations for the last several years. Conventionally, TEM soundings have been presented as apparent resistivity curves as function of time. With development of sophisticated computational algorithms, it became possible to extract more realistic geoelectric information by applying inversion programs to 1-D and 3-D problems. Here, we analyze LOTEM data by carrying out analysis in time, frequency and pseudo-seismic domain supported by borehole information. At first, H, K, A & Q type geoelectric models are processed using a proven inversion program (1-D Occam inversion). Second, time-to-frequency transformation is conducted from TEM ρa( f) curves for the same models based on all-time apparent resistivity curves. Third, 1-D Bostick's algorithm was applied to the transformed resistivity. Finally, EM diffusion field is transformed into propagating wave field and constructed pseudo-seismic section. The transformed seismic-like wave indicates that some reflection and refraction phenomena appear when the EM wave field interacts with a geoelectric interface at different depth intervals due to contrast in resistivity. In all three cases, synthetic tests showed that conductive anomaly in resistive host environment can be retrieved more clearly than resistive target. A case study illustrates the successful application of proposed approach in recovering a water-filled mined-out area in a coal field located in Ye county, Henan province, China. The results support the introduction of pseudo-seismic imaging technology in long-offset version of TEM which can also be an useful aid if integrated with seismic reflection technique to explore possibilities for high resolution EM imaging in future. [Figure: see text]

Electromagnetic evidence for an ancient avalanche caldera rim on the south flank of Mount Merapi, Indonesia

Long-Offset Transient Electromagnetic (LOTEM) data and VIBROTEM data from the south flank of Mount Merapi on Java island, Indonesia, are interpreted with one-dimensional (1D) inversions as well as two-dimensional (2D) forward modelling. One-dimensional joint inversions of several components of the electromagnetic field with Occam's method reduce the number of equivalent models, which were derived from inversions of single components and fit the data to a similar misfit. The 1D results, together with results from other geophysical measurements, serve as the basic model for further 2D forward modelling. The final model depicts a layering that follows the topography of the strato-volcano. In the depth range of 500 m to 1000 m, the resistivity of the layers decreases rapidly downwards into a good conductor with resistivities below 10 Ωm. The deepest layer has a resistivity of 0.4 Ωm which is quantitatively explained with a combination of saline fluids and hydrothermally altered minerals. Furthermore, the final model supports a hypothesis from the interpretation of central-loop TEM (Transient Electromagnetic) data that there is a fault structure below the southern flank, approximately 7.3 km south of the summit. To the north of the fault, the top of the good conductor is lowered from a depth of 500 m to 1000 m. We propose that the fault structure coincides with an ancient avalanche caldera rim.

New results on the resistivity structure of Merapi Volcano (Indonesia), derived from three-dimensional restricted inversion of long-offset transient electromagnetic data

Author(s): Commer, Michael; Helwig, Stefan, L.; Hordt, Andreas; Scholl, Carsten; Tezkan, Bulent | Abstract: Three long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) surveys werecarried out at the active volcano Merapi in Central Java (Indonesia) during the years 1998, 2000, and 2001. The measurements focused on the general resistivity structure of the volcanic edifice at depths of 0.5-2 km and the further investigation of a southside anomaly. The measurements were insufficient for a full 3D inversion scheme, which could enable the imaging of finely discretized resistivity distributions. Therefore, a stable, damped least-squares joint-inversion approach is used to optimize 3D models with a limited number of parameters. The mode ls feature the realistic simulation of topography, a layered background structure, and additional coarse 3D blocks representing conductivity anomalies. Twenty-eight LOTEM transients, comprising both horizontal and vertical components of the magnetic induction time derivative, were analyzed. In view of the few unknowns, we were able to achieve reasonable data fits. The inversion results indicate an upwelling conductor below the summit, suggesting hydrothermal activity in the central volcanic complex. A shallow conductor due to a magma-filled chamber, at depths down to 1 km below the summit, suggested by earlier seismic studies, is not indicated by the inversion results. In conjunction with an anomalous-density model, derived from arecent gravity study, our inversion results provide information about the southern geological structure resulting from a major sector collapse during the Middle Merapi period. The density model allows to assess a porosity range andthus an estimated vertical salinity profile to explain the high conductivities on a larger scale, extending beyond the foothills of Merapi.

Interpretation of long‐offset transient electromagnetic data from Mount Merapi, Indonesia, using a three‐dimensional optimization approach

In the years 1998, 2000, and 2001, long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) surveys were carried out at the active volcano Merapi in Central Java. The measurements investigated the conductivity structure of the volcanic edifice. Our area of interest, which is below the summit and the upper flanks, was investigated using horizontal and vertical magnetic field time derivative data from seven transmitter‐receiver setups. Because of topography and a three‐dimensional (3‐D) underground structure, a 3‐D interpretation is used. The method optimizes few parameters of a 3‐D model by a stable least squares joint inversion of the data, providing sufficient resolution capability. Reasonable data fits are achieved with a nonhorizontally layered model featuring a very conductive basement below depths of 1.5 km. While hydrothermal alteration is also considered, we tentatively explain the high conductivities by aqueous solutions with relatively high salt contents. A large magma body or a small superficial reservoir below Merapi's central volcanic complex, as discussed by other authors, cannot be resolved by the LOTEM data.

The influence of induced polarization on long‐offset transient electromagnetic data

ABSTRACTThe diffusion of electromagnetic fields is dependent not only on conductivity, but also on magnetic permeability, dielectric permittivity and polarizability, i.e. dispersive conductivity. The long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) method is mainly used to determine the spatial distribution of conductivity in the subsurface. However, earlier work on loop‐loop TEM suggests that transient EM methods can also be affected by induced polarization (IP).Numerous 1D forward calculations were carried out to study the IP effect on LOTEM data, using the Cole‐Cole relaxation model to simulate the polarizability of the ground. Besides the polarizability of each layer, the IP effect depends on the LOTEM field set‐up and the spatial distribution of conductivity in the ground. In particular, near‐surface layers with high chargeabilities can significantly distort the late time transients of the electric field components in the vicinity of the transmitter. The influence of polarizable layers on the magnetic field components can be neglected under normal circumstances.In 1997 and 1999, LOTEM measurements were carried out at Mt. Vesuvius in Italy to explore the geological structure of the volcano. Sensitivity studies on the effect of polarizable layers suggest that high chargeabilities in connection with conductive layers at greater depths would result in a detectable distortion of the electric field transients. Although the simultaneous IP measurements revealed high chargeabilities in a near‐surface layer, no evidence of IP effects could be found in the measured LOTEM data. We conclude that the observed chargeabilities are local and that 3D effects are probably present in the data.Another aspect is the measurement of the system response, which is usually measured by placing a receiver very close to the transmitter. Therefore, large distortions can be expected if near‐surface polarizable layers exist. This was verified in practice by field measurements in an area with high chargeabilities in Longerich, Cologne.

2.5‐D inversion of frequency‐domain electromagnetic data generated by a grounded‐wire source

Interpretation of controlled‐source electromagnetic (CSEM) data is usually based on 1‐D inversions, whereas data of direct current (dc) resistivity and magnetotelluric (MT) measurements are commonly interpreted by 2‐D inversions. We have developed an algorithm to invert frequency‐Domain vertical magnetic data generated by a grounded‐wire source for a 2‐D model of the earth—a so‐called 2.5‐D inversion. To stabilize the inversion, we adopt a smoothness constraint for the model parameters and adjust the regularization parameter objectively using a statistical criterion. A test using synthetic data from a realistic model reveals the insufficiency of only one source to recover an acceptable result. In contrast, the joint use of data generated by a left‐side source and a right‐side source dramatically improves the inversion result. We applied our inversion algorithm to a field data set, which was transformed from long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) data acquired in a Japanese oil and gas field. As demonstrated by the synthetic data set, the inversion of the joint data set automatically converged and provided a better resultant model than that of the data generated by each source. In addition, our 2.5‐D inversion accounted for the reversals in the LOTEM measurements, which is impossible using 1‐D inversions. The shallow parts (above about 1 km depth) of the final model obtained by our 2.5‐D inversion agree well with those of a 2‐D inversion of MT data.

Internal structure of Mount Merapi, Indonesia, derived from long‐offset transient electromagnetic data

A long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) survey was carried out on Merapi volcano, Indonesia, in 1998. LOTEM data have been recorded at 41 receiver locations which cover a 10 km W–E and a 15 km S–N profile. The signals were transmitted at four locations on the south, west, and north sides of Merapi. The data were interpreted with one‐dimensional (1‐D) inversions. In addition, two particular features were investigated with 3‐D modeling. On the south flank the magnetic field data show strong 3‐D distortions consistently over the profile which can only be explained by a conductive near‐surface structure, like a fracture filled with conductive fluids. The simulation of topographic effects shows that the interpretation is not significantly affected. On both profiles the most striking feature is a conductive layer of 20 Ω m at depths of 500–1000 m below the surface and a thickness of 1–2 km. The cause of the increased conductivity may be different for the summit area, the intermediate zone, and at the flanks: Below the summit, in vicinity of the conduit, the decrease in resistivity is produced either by hydrothermal fluids, by partial melts or rocks altered by the hydrothermal system, or by a combination. In the intermediate zone between the conduit and the flanks, either alteration or hydrothermal fluids may be the source of the conductivity increase. Fluids seem to be the most likely cause for the conductive layer at the flanks and the west–east striking anomaly. From the resistivity of the conductive layer and the typical porosity of volcanic rock we estimate fluid resistivities of 0.2–1 Ω m.

Understanding LOTEM data from mountainous terrain

Long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) data from the Vesuvius volcano, in Italy, show that the EM response of the topography is a potential cause of data distortions. A modeling study was carried out to simulate the effect of mountainous terrain on vertical magnetic‐field time derivatives using a 3-D finite‐difference code. The objectives were to assess the importance of topographic effects and to help identify them in existing field data. The total effect of topography on the LOTEM response can be considered as a combination of four distortions of the corresponding responses for a flat terrain. First, the receiver is at some height above the flat surface. Second, the mountain acts as a conductive body displacing air. Third, large loop receivers are nonhorizontal and sense a combination of horizontal and vertical magnetic fields. Finally, the electromagnetic coupling between the mountain and deeper‐lying structure modifies the structure response. Each of the effects can be identified in field data recorded at Mount Vesuvius. The topographic induced distortions for the model used in this study are moderate in the sense that 1-D inversions of the theoretical data still recover the gross conductivity structure, albeit with small deviations from the true parameters. Although this result might imply that topography might be ignored during the first stage of an interpretation, no simple correction method is evident, so topography will have to be included in any 2-D or 3-D inversion attempt.

Electromagnetic technique's success at Vesuvius points to use in forecasting eruptions

A newly refined electromagnetic technique has imaged the electrical structure of Vesuvius, and its success indicates it can be a very effective tool in forecasting volcano eruptions. The hope is to be able to gather enough data from active volcanoes to establish an adequate baseline of information for volcano surveillance and to better understand their structure.Known as the long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) technique, its development has been made possible by modern modeling algorithms and higher computing power, both lacking in earlier electromagnetic work in the 1970s and 1980s. Such advances allow for analysis of complex topographic and three‐dimensional (3‐D) structures of volcanoes [A. Hördt and M. Müller, unpublished manuscript, 1999].

The instantaneous apparent resistivity tensor: a visualization scheme for LOTEM electric field measurements

Long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) data have traditionally been represented as early- and late-time apparent resistivities. Time-varying electric field data recorded in a LOTEM survey made with multiple sources can be represented by an ‘instantaneous apparent resistivity tensor’. Three independent, coordinate-invariant, time-varying apparent resistivities can be derived from this tensor. For dipolar sources, the invariants are also independent of source orientation. In a uniform-resistivity half-space, the invariant given by the square root of the tensor determinant remains almost constant with time, deviating from the half-space resistivity by a maximum of 6 per cent. For a layered half-space, a distance-time pseudo-section of the determinant apparent resistivity produces an image of the layering beneath the measurement profile. As time increases, the instantaneous apparent resistivity tensor approaches the direct current apparent resistivity tensor. An approximate time-to-depth conversion can be achieved by integrating the diffusion depth formula with time, using the determinant apparent resistivity at each instant to represent the resistivity of the conductive medium. Localized near-surface inhomogeneities produce shifts in the time-domain apparent resistivity sounding curves that preserve the gradient, analogous to static shifts seen in magnetotelluric soundings. Instantaneous apparent resistivity tensors calculated for 3-D resistivity models suggest that profiles of LOTEM measurements across a simple 3-D structure can be used to create an image that reproduces the main features of the subsurface resistivity. Where measurements are distributed over an area, maps of the tensor invariants can be made into a sequence of images, which provides a way of ‘time slicing’ down through the target structure.

Integrating long‐offset transient electromagnetics (LOTEM) with seismics in an exploration environment1

AbstractThe applications of electromagnetics have increased in the past two decades because of an improved understanding of the methods, improved service availability, and the increased focus of exploration in the more complex reservoir characterization issues. For electromagnetic methods surface applications for hydrocarbon Exploration and Production are still a special case, while applications in borehole and airborne research and for engineering and environmental objectives are routine.In the past, electromagnetic techniques, in particular deep transient electromagnetics, made up a completely different discipline in geophysics, although many of the principles are similar to the seismic one. With an understanding of the specific problems related to data processing initially and then acquisition, the inclusion of principles learned from seismics happened almost naturally. Initially, the data processing was very similar to seismic full‐waveform processing. The hardware was also changed to include multichannel acquisition systems, and the field procedures became very similar to seismic surveying. As a consequence, the integration and synergism of the interpretation process is becoming almost automatic.The long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) technique will be summarized from the viewpoint of its similarity to seismics. The complete concept of the method will also be reviewed. An interpretation case history that integrates seismic and LOTEM from a hydrocarbon area in China clearly demonstrates the limitations and benefits of the method.

Joint application of seismic and electromagnetic methods to coal characterisation at West Cliff Colliery, New South

Both seismic and EM measurements are used to provide information about the geometry of coal seams in advance of longwall mining. However, each method has limitations and the results may be capable of several different interpretations. An approach which is now common in such cases is the joint application of two or more independent types of measurements to help resolve ambiguity. This paper describes the application of long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) sounding in Australian coal mining at the West Cliff Colliery, New South Wales. A feasibility study was carried out before the field survey in order to obtain the optimum measurement parameters. The interpretation of LOTEM data is based on both 1-D and 2.5-D automatic inversion techniques. Using prior information from seismic surveys and well logs, it was possible to map the electrical properties in coal seams. Since the electrical properties are closely related to stress as well as water saturation in coal seams within a sedimentary pile, quantitative relationships between the changes in stress or water saturation and electrical properties can therefore be established. The results indicated that the progress of drainage and of stress advance in association with mining can be monitored by measuring the changes of resistivity in coal seams from the surface using the LOTEM method.

To: “Interpretation of 3-D effects in long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) soundings in the Münsterland area/Germany” by Andreas Hördt, Vladimir L. Druskin, Leonid A. Knizhnerman, and Kurt‐Martin Strack (September 1992 GEOPHYSICS, 57, 1127–1137).

On page 1128, Figure 1, the distance indicated as “8 km” should be “7750 m.” The figure, as corrected, appears below.

Interpretation of 3-D effects in long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) soundings in the Münsterland area/Germany

The interpretation of long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) data is usually based on layered earth models. Effects of lateral conductivity variations are commonly explained qualitatively, because three‐dimensional (3-D) numerical modeling is not readily available for complex geology. One of the first quantitative 3-D interpretations of LOTEM data is carried out using measurements from the Münsterland basin in northern Germany. In this survey area, four data sets show effects of lateral variations including a sign reversal in the measured voltage curve at one site. This sign reversal is a clear indicator of two‐dimensional (2-D) or 3-D conductivity structure, and can be caused by current channeling in a near‐surface conductive body. Our interpretation strategy involves three different 3-D forward modeling programs. A thin‐sheet integral equation modeling routine used with inversion gives a first guess about the location and strike of the anomaly. A volume integral equation program allows models that may be considered possible geological explanations for the conductivity anomaly. A new finite‐difference algorithm permits modeling of much more complex conductivity structures for simulating a realistic geological situation. The final model has the zone of anomalous conductivity aligned below a creek system at the surface. Since the creeks flow along weak zones in this area, the interpretation seems geologically reasonable. The interpreted model also yields a good fit to the data.

Inversion of long-offset TEM soundings near the borehole Münsterland 1, Germany, and comparison with MT measurements

SUMMARY Data from a long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) survey in northwest Germany around the borehole Munsterland 1 are interpreted using 1-D inversion. Special emphasis is given to the fact that the best-fitting model is not necessarily the most realistic one. We therefore investigate different inversion algorithms in order to obtain a more geologically meaningful result. The 1-D inversion results using a second-order Marquardt algorithm show a three-layer structure, with a conductor embedded between two more resistive layers. This is in good agreement with the known lithology and the well logs. ‘Profile inversion’ uses the result from one site as the starting model for the next. The application of the technique yields a smoother section than the individual inversions, and corresponds more closely to the (presumably) layered structure in the area. If desired, using a parameter weighting scheme makes it possible to force consistency at the cost of a larger misfit, yielding a smooth section even in a part of the area where the data are influenced by a 3-D anomaly. Occam inversion is a smoothness-constrained technique which is independent of the starting model. The result of the Occam inversion shows the same features as the Marquardt inversion, including effects which are attributed to 3-D distortions in the data. Joint inversions of the LOTEM data were carried out with magnetotelluric data from the same area. In that case, the LOTEM electric field is recognized as crucial for the resolution of the resistive layer in the section.

Long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) depth soundings applied to crustal studies in the Black Forest and Swabian Alb, Federal Republic of Germany

The long‐offset transient electromagnetics (LOTEM) sounding method is a valuable complementary technique for deep seismic exploration as applied to earth crustal investigations. During 1986, two LOTEM surveys were conducted to augment completed seismic investigations for crustal studies in southern West Germany, east of the Rhine graben. Our studies were motivated by the geoscientific activities within the framework of the German Continental Deep Drilling (KTB) project. The survey objectives were (1) to determine the applicability of the LOTEM method to crustal geophysics, (2) to investigate the correlation of resistivity anomalies with velocity anomalies, and (3) to confirm the method and interpretation in an area of known geology with existing geophysical data. The Black Forest and the Urach geothermal area survey results exhibit conductive features in the upper 10 km of the crust which were not previously defined by other geophysical data. Importantly, the results demonstrate a very strong correlation of a low‐velocity zone with low electrical resistivity at 5 to 7 km depth within the crystalline basement at both locations.