Magnetotellurics for natural resources: From acquisition through interpretation

Register

Karen Christopherson

Duration: two days

In the last ten years the use of magnetotelluric and audio-magnetotelluric methods for resource exploration and exploitation has increased significantly and there is a need for the geophysicist to better understand the theory, application and interpretation of magnetotelluric (MT) and Audio-MT methods. This course will provide the interested geophysicist with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and manage cost-effective MT field programs and to understand the data processing and interpretation issues. Over the two days of the course the following topics will be investigated: theory, applications and acquisition, processing and interpretation of data. Equipment will be shown on site and MT interpretation software demonstrations will be given. Attendees will be polled prior to the course as to what their interests are, and curriculum revised accordingly. The course can be structured to mineral, petroleum, and/or groundwater exploration. Emphasis can be shifted from the more theoretical to practical (including case histories, guest lectures, and computer hands-on software trials) as attendees prefer.

Course outline

  • Theory
    1. Maxwell's Equations and fundamental physics of technique
    2. Source fields
    3. History
  • Applications
    1. Where it can/cannot be used
    2. Limitations -- cultural noise
    3. Targets
    4. Resolution
  • Acquisition/ Equipment
    1. Equipment manufacturers
    2. Types of arrays
    3. Logistics
    4. Manufacturer reps -- hands-on demos, view of equipment
  • Processing
    1. Standard parameters
    2. Noise reduction/filtering
    3. Routine processing
    4. 'Robust' processing
  • Interpretation
    1. 1D -- Forward and inverse, limitations
    2. 2D -- Forward and inverse, limitations and caveats
    3. 3D -- Current codes, benefits, demonstration and case histories
    4. Workstations -- WinGLink, Geotools, others
    5. Output -- Cross-sections and maps

 

Instructor biography
Karen Christopherson