Cagniard 1953 Geophysics PDF

BASIC
BASIC THEORY
THEORY OF
OF THE
THE :\IAG:\ETO-TELLl'RIC
NAGSETO-TELLURIC l\IETHOD
METHOD
OF
OF GEOPHYSICAL
GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTI:\G*tt
PROSPECTISG*t$
LOUIS CAG~IARD§
LOl'IS C~GNIARD~
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
From Ampere's
Ampere’s LawLa\v (for aa homogeneous
homogeneous earth)earth) and from :\Iaxwell's
Maxwell’s equations using the concept
of Hertz
Hertz vectors (for aa multilayered
multilayered earth),
earth), solutions are ohtained horizontal components
obtained for the horizontal
of the electric and magnetic
magnetic fields
fields at the surface due to telluric currents earth. The
currents in the earth. The ratio
ratio of
these
these horizontal
horizontal components, together with with their relative
relative phases,
phases, is diagnostic of the structure
is diagnostic structure and
true resistivities of subsurface
subsurface strata.
strata. The ratios of certain
certain other pairs of electromagnetic
electromagnetic elements
are similarly
similarly diagnostic.
Xormalh',
Sormallv, aa magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric sounding is is represented hy curves of the apparent
apparent resistivity
resistivity and
the phase
phase difference at aa given station plotted
plotted asas functions of the period of the various telluric
telluric cur-
rent components. Specific
Specific formulae are derived for the resistivities, depths to interfaces, etc. in both
the two- and three-layer
three-layer prohlems.
problems.
For two sections
sections which are geometrically
geometrically sim!lar
similar and whose
whose corresponding resistivities differ
differ
only by aa linear factor,
factor, the phase
phase relationships are the same same and the apparent
apparent resistivities differ by
the same
same proportionality'
proportionalitv constant which relates the corresponding true resistivities. This This "principle
“principle
of similitude"
similitude” greatly
greatly simplifies the representation of aa master set set of curves, such
such as
as is given for use
use
in geologic
geologic interpretation.
interpretation.
In addition
addition to the usual advantages
advantages offered by the use use of telluric currents (no need
tclluric currents need for current
current
sources
sources or long cables,
cables, greater depths of investigation,
investigation, etc.),
etc.), the magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric method of pros-
pecting
lxcting resolves
resolves the effects
effects of individual
individual beds
beds hetter
better than do do conventional resistivity methods. It
conventional resistivity It
seems
seems to he he an ideal tool for the initial
initial investigation
investigation of large sedimentary basins with
sedimentary basins with potential
potential pe-
troleum reserves.
reserves.
INTRODUCTION
introduction
There
There is no doubtdoubt that
that the first
first positive
positive success in geophysical
geophysical prospecting
flrospecting
\\'as
\vas obtained
obtained by by electrical
electrical methods.
methods. These
These have
have always appeared promising
always appeared promising both
both
for oil andand mineral
mineral prospecting
prospecting because
because one can usually expect large
usually expect large resistivity
resistivity
contrasts
contrasts in earth
earth materials.
materials. Moreover,
Moreover, in the· case of horizontal
the-case horizontal bedding,
bedding, elec-
elec-
trical
trical prospecting
prospecting can give give information
information at locations
locations where neither magnetic
where neither magnetic nornor
gravity
gravity anomalies
anomalies can exist.
exist. The
The equipotential
equipotential method,
method, whichwhich involves
involves the
the map-
map-
ping
ping of the equipotential
equipotential lineslines on the
the earth's
earth’s surface
surface when current is introduced
when current introduced
into
into thethe ground
ground through
through two two point
point electrodes,
electrodes, usually failed because
usually failed because of difficulty
difficulty
in analyzing
analyzing the the diagnostic
diagnostic features.
features. InIn spite
spite of the
the simplicity Ohm's
simplicity of Ohm’ law, the
s law, the
theory
theory of current
current flow
flow in thethe earth
earth is very
very complex.
complex. OneOne may
may resort
resort to experi-
experi-
ments
ments on scale models, models, but but these
these preserve
preserve many
many of the the shortcomings
shortcomings of of the
the
theoretical
theoretical approach
approach whenwhen applied
applied to a practical
practical situation.
situation.
In
In general,
general, petroleum
petroleum and and mining
mining geologists
geologists were not satisfied
were not satisfied with
with the
the am-
am-
* Manuscript
Manuscript received by the Editor
Editor September I,
I, 1952
roja
tt Translated
Translated from the French by aa professional translator
translator for the :\Iagnolia Petroleum Com-
Magnolia Petroleum Com-
pany.
pany.
t$ Translation
Translation edited by M. Dohrin, R. L.
M. B. Dobrin, I,. Caldwell,
Caldwell, and R. Van
Van Nostrand,
Nostrand, Field Research
Laboratories,
Laboratories, Magnolia
Magnolia Petroleum
Petroleum Company.
Company.
§QProfessor
Professor at the Sorbonne, Paris, Past Director
Director of the Societe Geophysique and
SociCtCde Prospection geophysique
of the Compagnie
Compagnie Generale
G&&ale dede Geophysique.
G6ophysique.
60 5
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606 LOl'IS
LO1’I.S CAGNIARD
Cd GNIA RD
biguous
biguous interpretations
interpretations which
which geophysicists
geophysicists could could offer
offer them
them on the the basis of equi-equi-
potential data. The
potential data. The use of alternating current is even less desirable
alternating current is even less desirable in this respect
this respect
because Maxwell's
Maxwell’s equations
equations are considerably considerably less less manageable
manageable than than is Ohm's
Ohm’s
law.
law.
The
The introduction
introduction of resistivity
resistivity methodsmethods was a step in the right right direction,
direction,
chiefly because the "apparent
chiefly “apparent resistivity"
resistivity” of a section section whose structure
structure is not not too
complicated
complicated can actually actually be calculated,
calculated, or at least least estimated,
estimated, without
without too much much
risk
risk of- error. H-0\\~ever,
of error. Ilcwever, these ne,v new met-hods-,
methods, especia-Hy
especia!!y \\!it-h-
with respect-
respect 1-0- depth de~
to depth- de-
termination,
termination, have
have not not proved
proved to be as spectacular spectacular as they they first
first appeared.
appeared. Even Even
for the
the two-layer
two-layer case, a large large amount
amount of labor labor is involved
involved in developing
developing a master master
set of curves
curves and and one is seldom seldom able to match match his experimental
experimental curve curve withwith anyany
of the
the curves
curves in his catalogue,
catalogue, extensiveextensive as as it might
might be. Moreover,
Moreover, the useful useful
depth
depth of investigation
investigation is limited limited to a few few hundred
hundred meters meters in the the case of direct direct
current
current and even even less
less in the the case of alternating
alternating current,
current, especially
especially at the the higher
higher
frequencies.
frequencies. In In order
order to investigate
investigate to a reasonablereasonable depth,depth, it it is necessary
necessary to use
direct
direct current
current with with such great great electrode
electrode separations
separations that that the method
method no longer longer
has the
the advantage
advantage of being being inexpensive.
inexpensive.
It
It is thus
thus evident
evident that that electrical
electrical sounding,
sounding, at least petroleum exploration,
least in petroleum exploration,
originally
originally promised
promised much much more more than than it it has realized. However, the
realized. However, the relative!y
relatively
recent
recent discovery
discovery of the the telluric
telluric method,
method, although
although littlelittle known
known and and little
little used
used
outside
outside of France,
France, offers
offers more
more favorable
favorable prospects. Although the
prospects. Although the principles
principles inin-
volved
volved were recognized about
were recognized about 30 years years ago by by Conrad
Conrad Schlumberger,*
Schlumberger,* no practi- practi-
cal application
application was made made until until a few few years
years before
before WorldWorld War War II.II. TheThe telluric
telluric
method
method has severalseveral advantages
advantages in that that it it does away
away withwith a current
current source
source andand thethe
associated
associated long long leads,
leads, combines
combines flexibility,
flexibility, rapidity,
rapidity, and and low
low cost,
cost, and and reaches
reaches
much
much greater
greater depths
depths of penetration
penetration than than do ordinary resistivity methods.
ordinary resistivity methods. In In spite
spite
of its fundamental
fundamental advantages,
advantages, however, however, the the telluric method seems to represent
telluric method represent
only a temporary
only temporary stage stage in in thethe development
development of more more advanced
advanced methods.
methods. The The
magneto-telluric method,
magneto-telluric method, which which is the the subject
subject of this this paper,
paper, answers
answers the the ever-
ever-
increasing need
increasing need for quantitative results.
for quantitative results. Actually,
Actually, itit is not not a strictly
strictly electrical
electrical
method, but
method, but rather
rather a combination
combination of telluric telluric andand magnetic
magnetic methods,
methods, a com- com-
bination from
bination from which
which the the name
name of the the technique
technique has been been derived.
derived.
Essentially, the
Essentially, the magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric method method involves
involves the the comparison,
comparison, prefer- prefer-
ably at
ably at one and and thethe same
same place,place, of of the
the horizontal
horizontal components
components of of the
the magnetic
magnetic
and electric
and electric fields
fields associated
associated with with the the flow
flow ofof telluric
telluric currents.
currents. TheThe new new method
method
offers all
offers all the
the advantages
advantages of the the telluric
telluric method
method and and even
even improves
improves on itit with with re-re-
spect to tlexibility,
spect flexibility, speed,
speed, and and economy.
economy. In In addition,
addition, itit offers
offers thethe inestimable
inestimable
benefit of
benefit of making
making possible,
possible, in most most cases where where the the bedding
bedding is horizontal,
horizontal, a truly truly
quantitative interpretation.
quantitative interpretation. Also, Also, the the method
method can can be
be applied
applied without
without particular
particular
difficulty to
difficulty to submarine
submarine prospecting.
prospecting.
** E. G. Leonardon,
Leonardon, “Some
"Some Observations
Observations Upon Telluric
Telluric Currents
Currents and Their
Their Applications
Applications to
Electrical Prospecting,”
Electrical Prospecting," Terreshal
Terrestrial Magmtism
Magnetism and
and Ah.
Atm. Elecb. 33 (1928),
Electr. 33 pp. 91-94.
(1928), pp. 91-94. AA presenta-
presenta·
tion of a report
lion report on work
work dating
dating back to 1921 direction of Conrad
192 I under the direction Conrad Schlumberger.
Schlumberger.
BASIC THEORr OF THE MAC.VETO-TELU'RIC Jfl,TlIOn
SKII\ EFFECT
SKIN EFFECT AiiU
AI\D ITS
ITS COSSEQUENCXS.
COI\SEQUEI\CES, H.\RMOSIC
HARMOI\IC SHEET
SHEET OF
OF TELLURIC
TELLURIC CUR-
CUR-
RE!\TS IS
RF,XTS 1:'\ .iN
.\:\' EI.F:CTHIC.~LLY
ELECTRIC.-\LLY HOhlOGESEOI’
HOMO(;EXEOFS
S EARTH
EARTII
By way
By way of
of introduction
introduction to
to the
the analysis
analysis of
of the
the magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric method
method let
let us
us
consider a schematic
consider schematic and
and ideal
ideal sheet
sheet of
of telluric
telluric current
current which
which we
we shall
shall suppose
suppose
to be
to be uniform,
uniform, harmonic,
harmonic, of period T, flowing
of period flowing in
in a soil
soil electrically
electrically homogeneous,
homogeneous,
of conductivity
of conductivity 0.
IJ.
During this
During this study,
study, we shall
shall only
only use electro-magnetic
electro-magnetic units,
units, both
both for
for electric
electric
dimensions and
dimensions and magnetic
magnetic dimensions.
dimensions. Let
Let us choose
choose a rectangular
rectangular coordinate
coordinate
system o,
system x, y, z (Fig.
0, s, (Fig. I)I) such that
that the
the origin
origin is on the
the surface
surface of
of the
the ground
ground and
and
the descending
oz is the descending vertical.
vertical. One
One will
will notice
notice that
that on the
the ground
ground the
the angle ox,
angle ox,
oy is equal
oy - (7r /2) for
equal to -(r/2) for an observer
observer who
who normally
normally stands
stands with
with his
his feet
feet on
on the
the
ground and
ground and his head
head straight
straight: up. It is also useful
up. It useful to
to remember
remember that,
that, ifif a current
current
circulates in the
circulates the ground
ground along ox, 01’
along OX, at the
0)' is at the left
left of the
the Amperian
Amperian man
man looking
looking
up at
up at the
the sky.
sky.
o
FIG. I. Coordinate systPIll. xy plane represents earth's surface. : is rositiw downward.
It particularly useful
It is particularly useful when
when one employs
employs Maxwell’
Maxwell's
s equations and
equations and con-
con-
siders a harmonic
siders harmonic phenomenon,
phenomenon, to bring
bring in the
the Hertz
Hert z vector
vector and
and to make
make use of
of
imaginary notation. I shall
imaginary notation. shall use this
this approach
approach later, but to handle
later, but handle this
this first
first par-
par-
ticularly easy case, I prefer
ticularly prefer to remain
remain as elementary possible in order
elementary as possible order to be
understood
understood by by those
those who
who are not
not familiar
familiar with
with Maxwellian analysis and
Maxwellian analysis and who
who are
are
eager
eager to understand
understand thethe principles
principles of thethe proposed
proposed method.
method.
The
The term
term "uniform"
“uniform” when
when applied
applied to the the telluric sheet we want
telluric sheet want loto consider
consider
is rather
rather inaccurate.
inaccurate. As a matter
matter of fact,
fact, there
there is uniformity only parallel
uniformity only parallel to the
the
surface
surface of the
the ground,
ground, and
and not along
along a vertical line. If
vertical line. the density
If the density of the
the current
current
is represented
represented on the the surface
surface of the
the ground,
ground, forfor zz=o, by
= 0, by
II, x =
= cos wi,
wf, Ia, = I, = 0, (1)
the
the laws
laws of physics
physics show that depth z one must
that at depth must have
have
--
I, = e-z’*““” cos (wf - Z~ZPUW), II, y = I; =
= Iz = 0,
0, (2)
(2)
e designating
designating the
the base of natural
natural logarithms.
logarithms. Formula
Formula (2)
(2) holds
holds for
for what
what is
called
called the
the skin
skin effect. When z increases,
effect. When increases, one notices
notices an exponential
exponential decrease
decrease with
with
respect to z at the
respect the same time
time that
that the
the phase
phase retardation
retardation progressively
progressively increases.
increases.
608
608 I.OUIS
I.Ol:IS CAGNIARD
C4 GNIA RII
Under
Under thethe conventional
conventional name
name ofof "depth
“depth of of penetration"
penetration” (understood
(understood asas relat-
relat-
ing
ing to
to aa layer
layer of conductivity (J(Tand
of conductivity and toto aa telluric
telluric sheet
sheet of period
lkotl 7‘) we shall
1') shall define
dehne
aa term
term which
which we we are
are going
going toto use constantiy. It
use constantly. I~t designates tiel)th p when
designates the depth \~ilenthe
the
amplitucl6
amplitude is is reduced
reduced toto the fraction r/e
the fraction I/E of
of what
what it it is
is on
on the surface.
surface.
p = .I = _I “’ .
(3)
2/27md 27r u fJ
As for the phase, it is

is retarded
retarded one additional
additional radian
radian each time that zc is
time that is increased
increased
by p.
by P.
It
It is
is obvious
obvious that
that for
for z infillite,
infinite, the amplitude
amplitude of the magnetic
magnetic field isis annulled;
annulled;
otherwise
otherwise the density
density of the current
current could
could not be zero. At
At the same time,time sym-
sym-
'1 _ _ _ _ _ _...,0
B
c o
FIG. 2. Path of integration 10 apply Faraday's La\\".
metry
metry requires
requires that
that the
the magnetic
magnetic field
field be horizontal everywhere, parallel
horizontal everywhere, parallel to oy.
Let
Let us now
now apply
apply the
the theorem
theorem of Ampere
Ampere to a rectangle
rectangle .1 neD
.4 IK‘ AB
wit h sides AB
D with
parallel to oy and
CD parallel
CD and of unit
unit length,
length, with AR
with side _;lH situated depth z and
situated at depth and with
with
CD put
side CD put at infinite
infinite depth.
deljth. It
It reads
reads
H,
Hx =
= o,
0,
7r
(4)
4
-> .
In particular,
In particular, on the
the surface
surface of the
the earth,
earth, where z=o,
where z= o,
H", == 0,
11, 0,
H
H, y== 4~
471'
S 21:w (WI --:).
Io0%; =2,:,cos(w~
t oc J .cdz ~$).
= cos (5)
(5)
We shall
We shall stress this
this first
first result,
result, because
because itit is the
the key
key to
to the
the proposed
proposed method:
method:
On the
On the surface
surface of
of the
the ground,
ground, the
the magnetic
magnetic field
field oc
:JC and
and electric
electric lield
lleld E(E,= I xl (J)
E(E.c = 1*/u)
are orthogonal.
are orthogonal. The
The quotient
quotient of
of the
the aml)litude
amplitude of
of the
the electric
electric field
field by
by that
that of
of the
the
magnetic field
magnetic field has
has the
the value
value rl V2(J T.
I/~ZOT. The phase
The phase of
of the
the magnetic
magnet ic field
field is re-
re-
tarded by
tarded by an
an angle
angle of
of s/4 wit h respect
71'14 with respect to
to that
that of
of the
the electric
elect ric held.
lield.
It is well
It well understood
understood that
that the
the above
above result
result is valid
valid for
for aa telluric
telluric sheet
sheet flowing
flowing
R.tSlC THl".ORJ' OF THF. JfAG.Yl".TO-TELLCRIC JIETHO/)
In
in any
any direction,
direction, provided
provided one always
al\vays chooses the left
left hand
hand side as positive
posltJve in
measuring the magnetic fIeld.
measuring the magnetic field. If,If, for instance,
instance, the component
component of the
the !Clectric field
electric field
along
along oy is of the form
form
I
- cos wt,
(J
will be
it will he necessary
necessary to write
write
11, = - 2,&os(_,
- :).
with
with a change
change of sign relative
relative to the similar
similar formula (5), since the
formula (s), the x axis indicates
indicates
the right
right hand
hand side when
when the
the current
current flows along
along the
the yyaxis,
axis.
The
The integral
integral in the second member
member of relation
relation (5) represents the
(5) represents the toial
total inten-
inten-
sity
sity of the
the telluric
telluric current
current through
through a rectangle,
rectangle, vertical and unlimited,
vertical and unlimited, going
going
o0
I;IG. 3. Section
FIG. Section showing
shoiving horizontal
horizontal uniform
uniform sheet
sheet of current.
current.
from
from the
the surface, perpendicular to ox, and
surface, perpendicular and of unit width. The
unit width. magnetic field II
The magnetic IJ
measures
measures this
this total
total intensity
intensity within
within a facior
factor of 471".
4”.
This
This observation
observation is of great
great practical importance. It
practical importance. strictly valid for
remains sfriclly
11 renzai~zs for
any
any layered
layered earth, and maintains
mainfains approximate
approximale 2'alidity ill many
zlalidily irr many cases
cases ilateresli?lg
interesting
in
in exploration.
exploration.
Remarks
Remarks
Assume aa horizontal,
Assume horizontal, uniform,
uniform, extremely
extremely thin sheet
sheet of direct current
current of density I,I, flowing
flowing at the
depth zc between two horizontal
horizontal planes
planes with sides z and z+dz
with sides (Fig. 3). It
z+dz (Fig. It is well known and easy to
show
show that the magnetic
magnetic field
field produced by this horizontal
horizontal sheet on the surface of the ground is
sheet on is hori-
zontal, that it isis directed to the left hand side 271:1dz.
side and that its value is mIdI.
E‘or aa sheet
For sheet of direct current, parallel to ox,
current, flowing parallel OK, from the surface of the ground down to tlel)th
depth
whose density II
5, and whose
Z, I, would hehe an5'
anj function of z,z, one
1
one would have
H, = ta
S 0
I,(a)dr. (R)
(8)
Because telluric
Because telluric currents have an extraordinary
extraordinary low frequency,
frequency, since
since the length of the wave is
is
relative to p, one
enormous relative one might be
be tempted to apply
apply to them relation
relation (8),
(R), assuming their
their behavior
behavior
to be
be that of aa direct current,
current, which would lead one
one to write
write
Hy
N, = 271:
2T i +~
s 0
t-
IAz)dz,
I,(z)ds, (9)
whereas the accurate formula factor 471:,

formula (5) includes the factor 4x, and not the factor 271:.
factor PA.
610
610 LOUIS
I.Ol’I.7 CAG.VIARD
CAG.VIA RII
[Tnits and magnitudes
We
\i:e measure
measure the magnetic
magnetic field in 'Y,
y, the electric
electric field
held in millivolts/km
millivolts/km and
and the
the
period
period in seconds. On the other
other hand,
hand, prospectors
prospectors usually
usually consider
consider the re:3istivity
resistivity
pp rather
rather than
than conductivity a. They
conductivity (J. ‘Ihey measure
measure resistivities
resistivities in ohm-meters.
ohm-meters.
JI 'y 1065 em cgs

Y == 10- cgs
1I mv/km
mv ‘km == 1I em cgs
cgs
10)
JO)
I km IO.+ em cgs
km = 10'> cgs
II !Im =
£1m IO"
lOll em cgs
cgs
ifiit!i the ne'oN

'Vit-h- systemof-
new s-ys-t-em units, one ()bt-a-in~:
of unit-s, obta~ins:
p= --I VlopT,
p=
I
,/'/ropT,
_. __
P = 0.2T
E)2
(H (II)
28
271'
In
In order
order to become
become familiar
familiar witwithh the order
order of dimensions,
dimensions, it is useful
useful to con-
con-
sult
sult the
the two
two tables
tables of numbers
numbers which
which follow.
follow. Table gives the
Table II gives values of pp for dif-
the values dif-
ferent values of pp and T.
ferent values 2’. Table
Table 2z gives,
gives, also as function and of T, the
function of p and the values
values
of II
IZ corresponding
corresponding to an electric
electric field
field of I mv /km.
mv,/km.
?‘ABI.E
TABLE 1I
DEPTHS OF PENETRATIOK GIVEK IN KM
P. \1'.
P,\l’
. I sec
set 3 sec 10 sec 30 sec I mm 2 min 5 min
5 min 10 min
min 30 min
30 min
----~ ---~----- ------------- --
0.2
0.2 0.225
0.22j 0.390 0
0.39 0.7IZ
0.7 12 1.23
I 23 74
I’ ..74 2·47
2.47 .900
3.9
3 5.5 1
5.51 9.54
9· 54
I 0.5
0.503 0., O.XfZ 1.
0.X72 59
I.59 2.766
2.7 3.900
3.9 5.5 1
5.5’ x.72 2
1-:.7 12 ..
'3, 21.4
21·4
5 I .‘3 3
I.) 95
I .95
1. .i 56
3.5 6 6.Ih
6.16 8.72
1',.]2 12·3
12.3 19·5
'9.5 27· (J
27.0 47.7
47·7
)0
10 7.59
I. 59 2.766
2.7 0
5.03 R·72
8.72 12.3
12·3 '7.4·4
I7 27.C
27·( 39.0
39. 0 67.5
67·5
6.16 5.
11.3
" 27.66 (JI .6
01.6
SO
50 3.5566
3 6.16 II .3 19·5
10 5 27. 39. 0
39.0 87. 2
x7.2 Ijl
15 1
25 0
250 7·95
7.95 1.3.x
I.,. X 2j.2
25. 2 43. 6
;3:$ 61.6
61.6 87.22
1',7. 13 X
138 195 33 8
338
I,000
1,000 15·9
Tj.C) 27.6
27. 6 50 .3
50..1 7 2
X7· 12
I233 174 276 39 0
390 67,
67.5
590°0
5,000 35. 6
35.() hr.6
61.6 113
I ' .z 195
IO.5 276
27 6 39 0
390 616 872
87 2 15 10
IjIO
-~----- ------
TABLE 2
AMPLITUDES OF TilE ;\1AGNETIC FIELD GIVEN IK 'Y 'WHEN E IS I Mv/KM
P. \T.
Pi \T_+ sec
I SW 3 set
3 sec 10 sec
10 xc 30 WC
30 sec I min
min 2 min
2 mill 5 min
5 min 10 min
10 mm 30 min
30 min
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- ------------- - -------- --- - --- -- - - - - - - - -
0.2
0.2 II I.73
1·73 3.16
3. 16 5.4 8
5.48 7·75
7.75 11.0
11 .o 17·3
'7.3 24.j
24·5 42 ·4
42.4
I 0·447
0.447 0.775
0·775 I.41
1.41 2.45
2·45 3.4 6
3.40 4.9 0
4.90 7.75
7·75 11.o
11,0 X9.0
19·0
5 0.2 0.346
0.346 0.632
0.6.>2 I.10
1.10 55
I.55
1. 2.19
2.19 3.4 6
3.46 4.9 0
4.90 8.49
8.49
IO
10 0.141
0.14 1 0.245
0.245 0.447
0·447 0·775
0.775 I.10
1.10 I . 55
l..5j 2.45
2·45 3.4 6
3.46 6
50 0.0632
0. 06 3 2 0.110
0.110 0.2
D.2 0<14 6
0'346 0.49 0
0.490 0.693
0.693 1.10
1.10 1·55
I.55 2.68
2.61',
2.50
250 0.0283
0. 028 3 0.049
0.049 0.0x94
0.0~94 O.ljj
0.155 0.219
0. 21 9 0.3'0
0.3 10 0.49 0
0.490 0.693
0.693 I.2
I.2
1,000
1,000 O.OI4I
0.oI41 0.024j
0. 02 45 0.0447
0.0447 0.0775
0.0775 0.110
0.110 O.Ijj
0.155 0.245
0.245 0.346
0.346 0.6
0.6
5,000
5,000 0.006.F
0.006,~2 O.OIIO
0.0110 0.0200
0.0200 0.0346
0.0346 0.0490
0.0490 0.0693
0. 06 93 0.110
0.110 0.155
O.'Sj 0.26X
0.26R
----------
From now
From now on,
on, one
one will
will notice
notice the
the extent
extent to which
which the
the depths
depths of
of penetration
penetration
are
are exactly
exactly adapted
adapted to the
the needs
needs of
of petroleum
petroleum prospecting.
prospecting. One
One will
will also notice
notice
H.L'i/C
H.lSIC‘ TllEORI"
i!‘JJI:ORI- OF HIP.
THE .1f.1GSETO-T}:LLCRIC
.11.1G.~I~T0-7‘Rt,L~‘RIC .I/P.TllOD
.lJRTJiOD 611
6rr
very
very large limits
limits bet ween which
between which the ratio
ratio of the amplit udes of the electric
amplitudes electric and
and
magnetic
magnetic fields may
may vary,
vary, which
which is,
is, of course, essential
essential when
when one wants
wants to es-
tablish
tablish a "precise"
“precise” method
method of prospecting
prospecting in which
which this
this ratio
ratio is
is to be measured.
measured.
REL\.TIO:-.<
REL,\TION BETWEEK
BETWEEh- TilE
TIIE ELECTRIC
ELECTRIC AXD
ASD THE
THE: :\L\.GXETIC
M.~GSETIC FIELD
FI1:I.D FOR
FOR A
.\ );0.'\-
X0X-
HARMOKIC
H.4RhlONIC TELLURIC
TELLUKIC SIlEET
SHEET
If
If the components
components of the telluric
telluric current
current no longer
longer vary
vary with
with time
time according
according
to a sinusoidal
sinusoidal law
law but
but instead
instead vary
vary in an absolutely
absolutely arbitrary
arbitrary way,
way, as in natural
natural
telluric
telluric sheets,
sheets, the relations
relations, obtained
obtained above
above are easily
easily generalized
generalized byby means
means
of operational
operational calculus.
calculus. I shall limit
limit myself
myself to give
give the
the result,
result, which
which does not
not seem
to have
have any
any great
great practical
practical interest
interest in connection
connection with
with prospecting.
prospecting.
E"(t)=- If'
...
27rYiJ
II/(u)- du
.. ~.-:
vi - u
f
_00
(12)
I +x; dlt
- -... H /(1 - u) -=.
27rYiJ 0 yu
In
In this
this expression,
expression, 1Ix'(t)
I{:(I) designates
designates the
the derivative
derivative of H,(t) with respect
[[x(t) with respect to I.
/.
GEKERALIZATION
GEiVERALIZATION FOR
FOR AKY
AKY HORIZOKTALLY
HORIZOKTALLY STRATIFIED
STRATIFIED SECTION
SECTION
If
If the
the earth
earth is formed
formed by
by a number
number of horizontal
horizontal strata arbitrary thicknesses
strata of arbitrary thicknesses
and
and resistivities,
resistivities, we shall
shall start
start from
from the the equations Maxwell and
equations of Maxwell and we shall
shall
preferably
preferably use imaginary
imaginary notation,
notation, stipulating
stipulating tqat all the
that all the alternating
alternating quantities
quantities
depend
depend on time time through
through a factor
factor e- iwt • From
e-‘“l. From now
now on, this
this factor
factor will
will be under-
under-
stood
stood rather
rather than
than expressed
expressed explicitly.
explicitly.
If
If the
the harmonic
harmonic sheet,
sheet, assumed
assumed uniform,
uniform, flows along OX,
flows along the components
ox, the components of
the
the Hertz
Hertz vector
vector fI along oy and
II along and oz are null. null. Furthermore,
Furthermore, II* depends only
fIz depends only on z
(and on t).
(and t).
The equations
The equations of Maxwell
Maxwell areare satisfied
satisfied if
PII, +
V'2fI x + 4~ff~iII, = 0.o.
47riJwiII x = (13)
The electric
The electric field
field i? and e
and magnetic
magnetic field
field X are expressed
JC are expressed in a general
general way
way by
by
X
JC = 4~~7 curl II,
47riJ curl II,
(14)
e
c = grad div
grad div IIII - V'2IJ,
VW,
and, specifically,
and, specifically, in the
the actual
actual problem
problem by
by
alI x
aI1 I
Hy Hx = Hz =
H,=H,=o
H”=4==7
=
az
47riJ - - , 0
(IS)
(1.5)
Ex = 4ZYTwiII,,
E, 47riJwifI x, Ey = E,
E, Ez = o.
Because, in
Because, in this Ex is proportional
this case, E, proportional to III,, we can
fIx, we can choose Ex as Hertz
choose E, Hertz
vector, so that
vector. that
612
012 LOUIS CAGNIARD
(16)
Il y =
w (JZ
Furthermore,
Furthermore, we must
must assure the continuity of Ex
the continuity IIy when
E, and II, when crossing
crossing the
the
different
different surfaces
surfaces of separation.
separation.
In
In order
order to meet
meet condition (16), Ex
condition (16), E, must
must be in the form of
the form
E, = ,le”%“’ + &“““,‘ ( 17)

(17)
A and
and B
LI designating
designating two
two arbitrary
arbitrary constants
constants and
and a being defined as
being delined
a = 271" ' /~- e-;,.-!4 = __ 2~ (1 - i). (I R)

(18)
11 T y'T
Let
Let us number
number from from I to n II the
the successive
successive formations
formations starting
starting atat the
the surface
surface
of the
the ground.
ground. The The nth
nth and
and last
last one is thethe lowest stratum. It
lowest stratum. will be necessary
It will necessary
in this
this layer
layer to put put down
down .A A =0,
=o, because
because the the first
first term becomes infinite
term becomes infinite at
at the
the
same timetime as z. e. Furthermore,
Furthermore, any any solution
solution can
can always multiplied by
always be multiplied by a constant
constant
complex
complex arbitrary
arbitrary factor.
factor. In In other
other words,
words, the problem only definite
problem is only deiinite as far
far as
the
the relative
relative amplitudes
amplitudes and and the the differences
differences of phase concerned. For
phase are concerned. For this
this
reason, we can assign an arbitrary
reason, arbitrary valuevalue to one of the the z?z constants A and
211 constants and H. B.
We
We shall
shall assume
assume thatthat itit is constant
constant 13 U corresponding
corresponding to the the bottom
bottom stratum which
stratum which
is equal
equal to unity.unity.
In
In allall we have
have 2(n-z(fz- 1)I) arbitrary
arbitrary constants
constants to meet the same
meet the same number
number of con-con-
ditions
ditions at the the limits.
limits. These
These conditions
conditions are the the equality the two
equality of the two fields
fields at
at each
each
of the
the n- n- 1I surfaces
surfaces of separation.
separation.
The
The method
method of calculation
calculation being being the
the same no matter what the
matter what the value
value of 11,12,
we shall
shall only
only consider
consider the cases of n = 2z and and n = 3.
It
It is obvious
obvious thatthat these calculations,
calculations, which
which do not present any
not present any other
other compli-
compli-
cations
cations than than thethe resolution
resolution of simplesimple algebraic
algebraic equations
equations of thethe first
first degree,
degree, are
are
done
done exclusively
exclusively by by means
means of addition,
addition, multiplication
multiplication and division
and division andand do not
not
necessitate
necessitate resorting
resorting to integrals
integrals or series.
SOURCE
SOURCE OF
OF CURRENTS
CURRENTS
The
The above
above theory
theory does not not concern
concern itself
itself with the origin
with the ongm of of the
the currents
currents
involved.
involved. vVhether
Whether thethe source of these currents
currents are internal
internal to the
the crust
crust of the
the
earth
earth or whether
whether they
they are ionospheric,
ionospheric, whether
whether these sources are natural
these sources natural (actual
(actual
telluric
telluric currents)
currents) or whether
whether they
they are artificial
artificial (vagrant currents), the
(vagrant currents), the electro-
electro-
magnetic
magnetic phenomena
phenomena inside
inside the
the earth
earth are the
the same in every
every case.
In
In fact,
fact, the reasoning
reasoning depends
depends only
only on the the requirement
requirement that the
that the telluric
telluric
current sheet
current sheet be sufficiently uniform. But this uniformity
sufficiently uniform. But this uniformity is a matter
matter of experi-
experi-
8.ISIC THHORr OF TIIH .tr.IGNHTO~THUJ·RfC .tIlUfIOD
ence. Telluric
Telluric prospecting
prospecting proves
proves that
that in large
large sedimentary basins this uniformity
sedimentary basins uniformity
extends,
extends, in an approximate
approximate way,
way, over over a considerable expanse, often
considerable expanse, often some ten
km
km in width.
width. Such uniformity
uniformity should
should be expected all the
expected all the more
more if one onlyonly
considers
considers the veryvery restricted
restricted t1eld
field that
that enters
enters into
into a magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric comparison.
comparison.
Vagrant
\‘agrant currents,
currents, because
because of the relative
relative proximity
proximity of thethe sources which
which produce
produce
them,
them, andand because
because of the poor poor degree
degree of uniformity
uniformity of thethe sheets
sheets associated
associated with
with
such artit1cial
artificial currents,
currents, are feared
feared by by thethe telluric
telluric prospectors. On the
prospectors. On the contrary,
contrary,
they
they are looked
lodked on as as a blessing
blessing by by magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric prospectors, because
prospectors, because they
they
offer
offer sufficient
sufficient uniformity
uniformity to meet meet the requirements
requirements of the the new method,
method, and
and they
they
usefully
usefully enlarge
enlarge thethe spectrum
spectrum of frequencies.
frequencies.
Readers
Readers of Geophysics,
Geopl~ysics, as wellwell as thisthis writer,
writer, are mainly
mainly concerned
concerned with
with what
what
is underneath
underneath theirtheir feet
feet and
and are lit tie interested
little interested in whalwhat goes on on above
above their
their
FJ(;.4. Plane electromagnetic wave incident upon earth's surface.
heads.
heads. However,
However, it maymay be useful
useful to consider
consider for a few moments longer
few moments longer the
the nature
nature
of the
the electro-magnetic
electro-magnetic phenomena
phenomena as a whole whole involving the atmosphere.
involving the atmosphere.
In
In the
the air,
air, where
where we put down 0-=0,
put down u=o, equation (r6) becomes
equation (16) B2 E,/W=o.
becomes 3’ Ex/Bz2=0.
Ex
E, appears
appears as a linear function of z,
linear function II, as a constant:
2, IIy constant:
E,(z) = Ex(o)
Ex(z) +
E,(o) + iwzl/io);
iwzH,(o); ii:, = E, = 0.
(4
Hy(z)
H,(z) = IIy(o);
II,(o); II, = II, = 0.
A solution
solution of thisthis kind
kind may
may surprise
surprise the
the reader.
reader. OneOne knows,
knows, in particular,
particular,
that
that the
the vertical
vertical component
component of the magnetic magnetic field
field of the
the earth
earth undergoes
undergoes quick
quick
variations
variations whose correlation
correlation withwith those
those of the
the horizontal components of
horizontal components of the
the same
same
field
field or of thethe telluric
telluric [leld
field is evident.
evident. But
But thethe actual solution shows
actual solution shows us thatthat II,
lIz
is null.
null.
Let
Let us not not forget
forget that,
that, in the expression
expression (r3)
(13) of thethe equations
equations of hlaxwell,
Maxwell,
we have,
have, from
from the the start,
start, considered
considered as infinite
infinite the speed
speed V electro-magnetic
I’ of electro-magnetic
waves
waves in the the ground,
ground, as well well as the
the speed
speed c of those waves in empty
those waves empty space. For For
the
the real
real phenomenon
phenomenon of propagation
propagation we have have substitu ted from
substituted from the
the start fictitious
start a fictitious
stationary
stationary phenomenon.
phenomenon. The The approximation
approximation was quite sufficient for
quite sufficient for the
the calcu-
calcu-
lations
lations we had had in mind,
mind, but but it
it did
did not permit
permit an accurate picture of the
accurate picture the nature
nature
of the
the physical
physical phenomena
phenomena involved.
involved.
Let
Let us suppose
suppose thatthat in thethe atmosphere,
atmosphere, a plane wave spreading
plane wave spreading in the the plane
plane
oyz hits
hits the surface
surface of the the ground
ground at an angleangle of incidence
incidence a: (Fig. 4).
a (Fig. In order
4). In order
that
that thethe conditions
conditions at at the limits
limits might
might be met met at the surface
at the surface of thethe ground,
ground,
LOl'lS CAGXIARD
it
it is, first
first of all,
all, necessary
necessary that
that the expressions
expressions for the characteristic
for the characteristic vectors
vectors of
the
the three
three waves
waves (incident,
(incident, reflected
reflected and
and refracted) include, respectively,
refracted) include, respectivciy, the
the fol-
fol-
lowing factors:
lowing factors:
Incident
Incident Wave:
Wave:
e_iu(l_
. (
-tW t -
~~~ii~l~~~co~a~
Y Q)
- ~in -a. +~ co:-;
e C
Reflected
Reflected Wave:
Wave :
Refracted
Refracted Wave:
Wave :
The constant K is chosen to satisfy

The constant satisfy the equation
equation
2
V II + n ( 47rO"wi + .~~~) o.
It
It is thus
thus necessary
necessary that
that
(21)
But,
But, whereas
whereas (C(c’2jV2) -sin
/V) -sin* 2 a(Yis at its maximum
maximum equal unity, it
equal to unity, it happens
happens that
that the
the
coefficient of i is enormous.
coefficient enormous. For For instance,
instance, for p= for T = 30 set,
and for
Ioflm and
p = IO&Z sec, it
it is
equal 5.4X1olO10 so that
equal to S.4XI0 that in practice,
practice, and
and as an excellent
excellent approximation,
approximation, one
may
may write
write
K = cd/aaT er*14, (22)

(22)
bearing
bearing in mind
mind thethe fact
fact that coefficient of i in the
that the coefficient the imaginary
imaginary part
part of K must
must
be positive.
positive. Accordingly,
Accordingly, we justify
justify in the
the first
first place the form
place the form itself
itself of the
the expres-
expres-
sions (17)
(17) which
which we have have adopted
adopted initially
initially as a starting point. After
starting point. After that
that we
notice
notice that
that an infinity
infinity of possible
possible waves
waves in the the atmosphere correspond to a
atmosphere can correspond
given
given wave
wave in the
the ground.
ground. Not
Not only
only is a(Y left
left completely arbitrary since it
completely arbitrary it does
not
not appear
appear in (22),
(zz), but
but the
the state
state of polarization
polarization of the the incident
incident wave
wave remains
remains
also totally
totally arbitrary.
arbitrary. OneOne is entitled
entitled to imagine
imagine all all kinds
kinds of miscellaneous
miscellaneous phe-
phe-
nomena
nomena in the the atmosphere,
atmosphere, and and no particular
particular condition imposed that
condition is imposed that the
the verti-
verti-
cal component
component of the the magnetic
magnetic field
field must
must be null negligible.
null or negligible.
STUDY OF
SPECIFIC STUDY OF THE TWO
TWO LAYER PRORLEBI
PROBLEM
Let
Let us suppose (~1 to be the conductivity
suppose 0"1 conductivity of the
the upper
upper formation,
formation, and
and u20"2
that
that of the
the lower
lower formation,
formation, h being
being the
the thickness the upper
thickness of the upper one (Fig. s).
(Fig. 5).
Following
Following the
the general
general method
method sketched
sketched above, the general
above, the general expression
expression for
for
BASIC THEORr OF THE .lfAG1\·ETO-TELLURIC METHOD 6r5
2=0
o
. . .:
.. : .. :. '.-,IS!, LAY~R: a; '.,", '
FIG. 5. Two-layer
FIG,S, Two-layer earth
--
earth section.
section,
will be as
the fields will as follows:
I. In the first formation
L In formation
Ex = Aeav·~ Z + Be-av;-l Z
Hy = e i"/4 Y2 0"IT[ _Aeav~ Z + Be-av~ zJ.

2,
2. In the second
In second formation
formation
The continuity
The Ex and H,
continuity of E, Hy for z= It involves
Z= k involves accordingly
accordingly the two conditions
conditions
Aeav~" + Be-a,'~ = e- av;;; h II
- Ay;:;- eav;-, + By;; e- av;-,

h h = Y 0"2 e-avu2 h
where
B = -y;:;- + Y0"2
---..: - --
eah(vUI-VU2).
2YO"l
The
The result is is an expression
expression for the fields
fields on the surface of the ground. InIn this
expression
expression we shall advantageously
advantageously introduce
introduce the depth of penetration PI rela-
penetration pr
tive
tive to the first formation
formation and we
we shall be able to set aside
aside a factor common to
Ex
E, and IIII,,y , since
since we
we are only interested
interested in the relation
relation between those
those fields.
fields.
One has
has then
E, = Me-
Ex J/f+”i </>
-- (27)
H, =
By = Y2;:;-T.Yei(
42alT .. /4-y,l,1
_Vei(r/4-$1
616 LOllIS CAGNIARD
LOUIS C.dGNIARD
in which:
in which:
A4 cos
M cos¢r#l== - cash-- + -I sinh
I
cosh sinh -- hh + -
cos--: ,
cos
I
h)h Ith
(
PI Pl P2
PI P2 PI
PI Pl
PI (28)
(28)
h h h
(~sinh
i sinh ~ + ~
- COSh~) sin~,
I
M sin
M sin ¢C#I
== - + cash - sin -J
( PI PI P2 Pl> Pl
PI P2 PI PI
s cos
.Y cos if;fi == sinh -- + -I cosh
-L
sinh
I
cash-- cos
cos -
It + -
h
h
- ,>
I
It)
h lr
(
( PI
Pl Pl
PI P,
P2 Pl
PI > Pl
PI (29)
sin if;$ == -LI cosh
.V sin
.Y (
cash--
h
~-
I
It + -I sinh -
sinh -
h
sin
I1
sin --lz ..+- h) (29)
Pl
PI Pl P2
PI Pz Pl>
PI .Pl
'PI
Whereupon :
Whereupon:
EZ I A4
M
-- = -_ e--i(*/4++#).
e-i(~/4+¢-f). (30)
HV 42alT
y20'IT .I
.Y
The formulas
The formulas given
given above
above relating
relating to
to the
the case
case of
of aa single
single formation
formation are
are at
at
once found
once found again
again ifif one
one starts
starts from
from those
those more
more general
general expressions
expressions and
and puts
puts
down: 0'1=0'2=0'
down: u1= (TV= u and
and Pl=P2=P
pl = p,= p whereupon
whereupon
I
M = .Y = - eh / p
P ,
lz
¢=if;=-, (31)
P
Ex I
_ = - - - e- i .. / 4
Hy y;'O'T '
conforming to
conforming to the
the previous
previous result.
result.
_. ..
: ,‘..
,‘_. _’ . .
; . . ~ (,’
._ .‘. '. 2Nb LAYliR: 6; ..
.: ..: .‘.. :. .:
FIG. 6. Three-layer
FIG. 6. Three-layer earth
earth section.
section.
BASIC
B.dS’IC THEORY
THEORY OF THE
THE JIAG1'1ETO-TELLCRIC
JI.4G~VETO-TELLL.RIC JIETHOD
METHOD 61;
FORMULAS
FORMULXS FOR
FOR THREE
THREE FORMATIOXS
FORM.kTIOSS
In
In the
the case of three
three formations
formations of conductivities
conductivities 0"1,0"2, and Q,
61, ~2, and when the
0"3, when the second
second
one starts
starts at depth /z, and
depth hl and the third
third one atat depth I?, (Fig.
depth h2 6), one uses the
(Fig. 6), the following
following
formulas.
formulas. The
The ratio
ratio between
between thethe fields
fields is always
always in the
the form
form
M
e-' (,,/4+<1>-,,), (32)
V 2 0"IT .Y
by
by putting
putting down
down
(
I he
121 -+I
Pl P2 >--=z4p PZ
(33)
i I (;1 - ;) + ~: = v,
M cos ¢ = (~ - ~) (~ cosh u - ~ sinh U) cos 11
PI P2 P2 h
(34)
+ (~ + ~) (~ cosh v+ ~ sinh v) cos v,
PI P2 P2 h
M sin ¢ = (~ - ~) (~ sinh 11 - ~ cosh U) sin u

PI P2 P2 P3
(35)
+ (~ + ~) (~ sinh v + ~ cosh v) sin v,
PI pz P2 P3
_Y cos if; = (~ - ~) (~sinh 1£
PI P2 pz
- ~ cosh
h
u) cos 11
(36)
+ (~ + ~) (~ sinh v + ~ cosh v) cos v,
PI P2 P2 P3
_Y sin if; = (~ - ~) (~ cosh 1t - -=- sinh U) sin u

PI P2 P2 pa
(37)
+ (~ + ~) (~ cosh v+ ~ sinh v) sin v.
PI P2 P2 P3
APPAREKT
APPAREKT RESISTIVITY
RESISTIVITY FOR
FOR THE
THE CASE
CASE OF
OF TWO
TWO FORMATIOXS
FORMATIOSS
If
If the comparison of Ex
the comparison E, and
and HyH, is made
made on a ground which is known
ground which known to be
electrically
electrically homogeneous,
homogeneous, thethe relation
relation between
between those two fields
those two fields allows
allows one to
know
know the the true
true conductivity
conductivity (or,
(or, if one prefers,
prefers, its reciprocal, the resistivity),
reciprocal, the resistivity),
of the formation. If
the formation. If the
magneto-telluric comparison
comparison takes place on any
takes place any forma-
forma-
tion,
tion, stratified
stratified or not,
not, whose
whose structure
structure is not
not in general known, it
general known, it will
will usually
usually
618 LOl'[S
LO1 I‘S CAGII'IARD
C.4 GiVlA RD
happen that the phasephase of H H,y with respect

respect to Ex E, will not be a retardation
retardation of 7r I 4.
a/4.
This
This will be the first indication
indication that
that it is is heterogeneous.
heterogeneous. However,
However, no matter matter
what this phase
phase separation might might be,
be, we can agreeagree that
that the modulus of the ratio ratio
is equal to II
is V 2IYaT, in which IYn
1/42(~,T, u, would be the conductivity
conductivity of a homogeneous
homogeneous
formation
formation which would give the modulus of the ratio between the fields fields whose
whose
value
value has
has l;leen
been experimentally
experimentally observed. The quantity quantity IYou, is,
is, by definition,
definition, the
apparent conductivity
apparent conductivity and its reciprocal Pu pOis
is the apparent
apparent resistivity.
resistivity.
The
The apparent
resistivity isis usually
usually a kindkind of average of the resistivities
resistivities one
meets in a thickness of ground such such that
that density
density of the current
current is is not to be neg-
lected with
with respect
respect to its valuevalue along the surface. However, However, it may may happen in
exceptional cases that
exceptional cases that the apparent
resistivity might
might be very
very slightly
slightly less
less than
than
the smallest of the resistivities
resistivities of the formations,
formations, or on the other hand, very very slight-
slight-
ly greater than the highest of the resistivities.
resistivities. Actually,
Actually, one knows that that a similar
similar
phenomenon
phenomenon occurs
occurs for the apparent
apparent resistivities
resistivities that
that are obtained
obtained in the pros-
pecting techniques which use use a quadripole
quadripole of measurement
measurement supplied by direct
current.
current.
In
In the case
case of two formations,
formations, the apparent
resistivity is
is easily calculated
calculated by
means of the formulas established above. In In accordance with with this definition,
definition,
one has
has
I M
M I
or
(0M)"
M”
Pa =
Pa = PI
p1 .Y ;
- ;
s
and
2h
4 cos -~
4
Pa PI
Pl
_ =
PI
I +
I +--_-.___
I
___
21t
2 11
9 (40)
PI
m+~-
m + - - cos --_.
2 cos
m
m Pl
PI
if one writes
IP2!?+I
d ~+ I
PI
m= ___--
m= e 2h // 1’
&v 1
fll.
(41)
I~-I
P2
--I
PI
PI
The fundamental
The fundamental properties
properties of the apparent
resIstivIty as defined
defined in
in the
technique of electrical
technique electrical sounding,
sounding, with
with respect to a certain
certain length
length of injection
injection line
line
current, appear
of current, appear again atat this point
point in the apparent
resistivity defined now in in
B:lSZC‘ THEORI-
B.ISIC THEORI- OF
OF THE
THE .1IAG.VETO-TELLCRIC
51.4G.VETO.TELLl.RIC METHOD
]IETHOD h1o
6H)
regard
regard to
to aa certain
certain period
period or
or to
to aa certain
certain penetration depth p.
penetration depth p. Indeed,
Indeed, one
one Im-
im-
mediately
mediately establishes
establishes that:
that:
I.
1. ifif PI
pl = 0,
0, Pa = PI,
2.
2. ifif PI
pi = x,
m, PC,== P2.
p" P?.
EXPRESSION
EXPRESSION FOR
FOR THE
THE RETARDATION
RETARD.kTIOS OF
OF PHASE
PH,\SE
IN
IN THE
THE CASE
C.kSE OF
OF TWO
TWO FORMATIONS
FORMATIOh3
The
The other
other parameter
parameter to consider
consider in order
order to secure
secure interpretation
interpretation is the
phase retardation
retardation of the magnetic
magnetic field with
with respect
respect to the electric
electric field.
field. In
In the
case
case of two formations,
formations, it is
is expressed
expressed by
7r
= -
8e=z+C#l-#, cf> - + if; , (42)
44
with
with
m
m-1 - I h
tan cf> ~ - - tan
$ == - tan--,- ,
m +
m-l-r I PI
$1
$ =
tan if; = -
+ tan h
m
m+I
~-.-- -.. tan-,
I
- , (43)
(43)
m-r-
m I PI
Pl
2m 2h
zh
tan +) == - -
(4 - if;)
tan (cf> 2113- - sin-,
sin - j -z,,-$5” )
rn?2 --
m II PI
Pl 4 4>
m having
having the
the meaning
meaning given
given previously
previously (equation
(equation 41).
41).
SPECIFIC CASE
SPECIFIC CASE OF
OF .I.-\. SECTION
SECTIO)! WITH
WITH TWO
TWO LAYERS,
LAYERS, ONE
ONE BElSG
BEING AK
AN EXTREMELY
EXTREMELY
RESISTIVE OR
RESISTIVE OR EXTREMELY
EXTREMELY CONDUCTIVE
CONDUCTIVE SUBSTRATUM
SUBSTRATUM
In these
In these specific
specific cases, the
the above
above formulas
formulas become:
become:
I.
1. Extremely resistive
Extremely substratum :
resistive substratum:
I E,’ 2 CDS zh,/pl

I---~ = -2 I+-
H,, v’m1T J cash zIz,i’p, - cos zh,‘fi,
e211I,,,
(44)
(
e2/'/Pl )
e
0 = ”- .arc tan
nrc tan (
22 . -----
--~_
c4tl/Pl
2h/pI
sin 2h,‘
sin pl Ji
4 C 4h /1'1 -- II
>
The result
The result becomes
becomes particularly
particularly simple
simple ifif h is very
very much
much smaller
smaller than p:
than p:
I
'~-= 1_ I--
Pl
PI 0
8== 0.
0. (45)
1 H Y1 - 2vu 1T
2dalT It ’
It
620
620 LOUIS
I_OUIS CAGNIARD
CAGNIARD
2. Extremely
Extremely conducting
conducting substratum:
substratum:
I Ex! /-----2Cos2h/
I. p~---
1--1
i Hy
=--=--=-1/
IV l' ,- 2u l
1----------·----
cosh zh/ Pi + cos 2h/ Pi
(46)
() = -
w
+ (e~/M
---- - - - - sin 2h/Pl
arc tan 2 -
)
4 e4h / P1 - I '
The
The result
result becomes
becomes particularly simple if h is very
particularly simple much smaller
very much smaller than
than pl:
PI:
-I=
-Ex ~- --::I .--::--= h
~.' () =
I
I Hy , VUlT PI 2
LAW
LAW OF
OF SIMILITUDE
SIMILITUDE OF
OF THE
THE MAGNETO-TELLURIC
MAGNETO-TELLURIC SOUNDINGS
SOUNDINGS
It
It is known
known that that the
the interpretation
interpretation of the
the ordinary electrical soundings
ordinary electrical soundings is
made
made muchmuch easier
easier byby the
the use of logarithmic
logarithmic scales in the construction of theoreti-
the construction theoreti-
cal templates
templates on the the one hand,
hand, and
and of experimental
experimental diagrams
diagrams on the the other.
other. This
This
use of logarithmic
logarithmic scales is based based on the the laws
laws of similitude (geometric similitude,
similitude (geometric similitude,
electric
electric similitude) which are applicable
similitude) which applicable to electrical soundings.
electrical soundings.
Laws
Laws of similitude
similitude of the the same kind
kind also govern
govern magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric soundings and
soundings and
will
will play
play an important
important part
part in their
their interpretation.
interpretation. Before we explain
Before explain how
how to
represent
represent the the results
results we have just obtained
have just obtained in the the form
form of of master
master curves,
curves, it
it is
necessary
necessary to establish
establish these
these laws
laws of similitude.
similitude.
Let
Let us consider
consider two two structures,
structures, as complex
complex as desired, stratified or not,
desired, stratified not, being
being
geometrically
geometrically similar,
similar, thethe ratio
ratio of similitude being K
similitude being Kr,. To make
L. To make itit plainer,
plainer, let
let
specify that
us specify that the
the corresponding
corresponding parameters
parameters of the the two
two structures will be repre-
structures will repre-
sented
sented by by the
the same letters,
letters, respectively
respectively primed
primed and unprimed.
unprimed. In In this
this way,
way, 1)’
L'
and
and L designating
designating corresponding
corresponding lengths,
lengths, we shall
shall put down
put down
L’ = KLL. (48)
At
At two
two similar
similar points
points of the
the two
two structures,
structures, the
the resistivities are p’
resistivities are and p and
pi and and
we postulate
postulate electrical
electrical similitude
similitude
p’ = K,p. (49)
Finally,
Finally, if the
the periods
periods of the
the electro-magnetic
electro-magnetic phenomena are T'
phenomena are and T, we
T’ and
require
require
T’ = K7.T. (50)
(50)
If
If II'(x',
II’(z’, y', z’) represents
, z')
y’ represents a Hertz
Hertz vector,
vector, which solution of Maxwell’
which is a solution Maxwell's
s
equations
equations and and of the
the boundary
boundary conditions
conditions for
for the
the primed
primed structure, let us find
structure, let find out
out
the
the conditions
conditions underunder which
which
lI(x, 2) = II'(x',
11(x, y, z) y',
, Zl)
]I’(%‘, y’ 2’) (5 I)
(51)
is also a solution
solution for the
the unprimed
unprimed structure.
structure.
R.I.';le TIIFORJ' OF THF. .lfAGNF.TO-TF.LfXRIC .lfF.THOTJ
It is necessary
It necessary to consider
consider equation
equation (51)
(51) so
so that
that U(.r,)', z) designates
11(x, y, z) designates a function
function
of x,
.\‘, )',
y, Z2 ohtained
obtained when
when one respectively
respectively replaces II'(x',
replaces in II’(s’, y',
, ::')
y’ the coordinates
z’) the coordinates
x', ?‘I, 2’ by I\I.X,
s’, )",::' K&Y, 1\1.)', KG, which,
A-L)‘, I\I.Z, which, in other
other words,
words, makes
makes the the same
same Iiertz
Hertz vector
vector
correspond
correspond at two two similar
similar points
points of the
the two
two structures.
structures.
When
\\‘hen one has
, =----,
W
(J' w (52)
Kp K-r
the
the general
general equation
equation
PII
VII +
+ 47r(JwiIl
47rawill -= 00
becomes
becomes
rWI + 4ddi11 = 0,
if
1\2
Kl.?
1. = K,K7.. (53)
IV
IVee shall impose
impose this
this condition.
condifion.
Besides,
Resides, one has
t;
<K’ = A__, t;, = ----;
(54)
K,KI. K/.2
so
so that
that the
the conditions
conditions of continuity
continuity supposed
supposed to be metmet in one of thethe structures
structures
are also met
met in the
the other
other one.
The
The ratio
ratio E' / H' of an electrical
El/II’ electrical component
component to a magnetic
magnetic component
component is equal equal
to the
the corresponding
corresponding ratio ratio with
with a factor
factor of proportionality,
proportionality, 'which The
real. The
ull~iclr is real.
phase
phase separation
separation bet ween those
between those components
components is, consequently,
consequently, the the same
same in bothbot h
structures.
structures.
On the
the other
other hand,
hand, the ratio p,,',!
the ratio pn’/puPa of the
the apparent resistivities has the
apparent resistivities the value
value
(55)
(55)
if we take
take (53)
(53) into
into consideration.
consideration. In In other
other words,
words, when
when one goes fromhom one struc-
struc-
ture
ture to the other,
other, thethe apparent
resistivities are modified
modified in thethe same
same ratio
ratio as the
the
real
real resistivities,
resistivities, which
which moreover
moreover mightmight seem obvious enough on the
obvious enough the basis
basis of the
the
principles
principles we have have considered.
considered.
To
To sum up the the preceding,
preceding, when when one knowsknows the apparent resistivity
the apparent resistivity relative
relative
to a certain
certain structure
structure and and a certain
certain period
period T, oneone deduces
deduces at at once from
from this
this one
apparent
resistivity relative
relative to another
another structure
structure deduced from the
deduced from the first
first one by
by
geometrical
geometrical similitude
similitude (ratio Kd
(ratio KL) andand by by electrical
electrical similitude (ratio
similitude (ratio I\p).
K,).
The
The new
new apparent
resistivity is equal
equal to the former multiplied by
former one multiplied by the
the ratio
ratio
of electrical
electrical similitude
similitude and and itit is relative
relative to a period
period such that
that
622
622 LOUIS C.4
I.Ol:IS CAGNIARD
GNI4 RD
K2
KL2
L
KT (56)
KT= -i-- . Y
CONSTRUCTION AKD
CONSTKUCTION AKD DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION OF
OF MASTER
MASTER CURVES
CURVES FOR
FOR TWO
TWO FORMATIONS
FORMATIONS
A magneto-telluric
A magneto-telluric soundingsounding (in (in order
order toto abbreviate
abbreviate we we shall
shall from
from now now on on
say MT MT sounding)
sounding) will will be represented
represented by by means of two two curves, namely
namely those
indicating pU
indicating and 0() as functions
Pa and functions of T. T. InIn the preparation
preparation of master master sets of of curves
for the casecase of two two formations,
formations, itit is necessary to consider three three arbitrary
arbitrary param-
param-
namely two resistivities
eters, namely resistivities and one thickness,
thickness, each of which may may vary
vary fromfrom
zero to infinity.
infinity.
The value
The value of the law of similitude
similitude lies in the fact that, that, in
in order
order to represent
MT-soundings, for two formations,
the whole of the MT-soundings, formations, it it is sufficient
sufficient to limit
limit one’
one'ss
self to the specific
specific case
case of p1 and h=
PI = II and h= I.1. In
In this wayway there only only remains
remains one single
arbitrary parameter,
arbitrary parameter, namely namely the resistivity
resistivity pz substratum, so
P2 of the substratum, so that
that the to- to-
tality of MT-soundings
tality MT-soundings is represented by by means of two systems of curves.
Indeed, when, in a more general way,
Indeed, way, the resistivities
resistivities of the two present present forfor-
mations will
mations will be pl’ #l ~ I and pz’
PI' P2' and when the thickness of the first formation formation will will
be h’h'~I,
# I, in order to obtain obtain the curve pa’ Pa'=Pa'(T')
= p,‘
( T’
) it will
it will be sufficient
sufficient to multiply
multiply
1.
I. by ~1’
by ordinates of that
PI' the ordinates that one of the curves p.=pO(T) Pa = PaCT) characterized
characterized by by
ratio p2’
the ratio magnitude to the value
/ PI' equal in magnitude
P2'/pl’ value of the parameter
parameter p2. P2.
2. by h’
2. h'2/
*/plPI ' the abscissas
abscissas of this same curve.
Furthermore,
Furthermore, in order to obtain obtain the curve (}'=(}'(T'),
O’=O’(T’), it will
it will be sufficient
sufficient to
multiply
multiply by the same same factor P/p /i'2j PI;li the aoscissas
abscissas of of that
t na t of
of the fJ = fJeT)
tne curves B=K(iT)
characterized
characterized by the value value p/ p2’//p1’ There will
. There
PI'. will be be no reason
reason to modify
modify the or-
dinates.
Rather
Rather than than to carry out these these multiplications,
multiplications, it is obviouslyobviously much easier
to choose
choose for each each of the systems
systems pa pa and ()0 the logarithmic
logarithmic abscissas
abscissas representing
representing
logarithm of vI'.
the logarithm Furthermore, for the system Pa,
J-F. Furthermore, pa, the ordinates
ordinates will represent
the logarithm
logarithm of p". pa. The
The two setssets of curves reproduced here were constructed constructed in
this way, with scales scales as as indicated
indicated in Figures 7 and 8.
With
With the help of these these logarithmic
logarithmic master curves, the expansions of the
abscissas
abscissas and of the ordinates describeddescribed at the beginning
beginning of this section willwill
amount
amount from now on on to aa simple translation.
translation. A translation
translation will be carried out
parallel
parallel to the axisaxis of the abscissas
abscissas for curve Pa,pa, as
as well as
as for curve (),
0, and
md this
translation
tramlation will
will be
be oj
of the
the same amplitude
amplitude in both
both cases.
cases. Furthermore,
Furthermore, in the case
case of
curve p"
p,, aa second
second translation
translation will be
be carried out parallel
parallel to the axis of the ordi-
nates.
nates.
The whole
whole of of the curves
curves of
of system parcorresponding to the changing values of
system Pa, of
~2, have an infinity
P2, infinity ofof points in common, defined by
2
Pa =
Pa = I,
I, cos - = 0.
O.
PI
PI
/
PO:toonr
Po'IOOJlm 200
~
[)
CL
2
(!)
o
...J
Po -IO.Jlm
10--
5-------
~---------------
__-------2----------------
_----------1.5-----------
Po -I Jlm-+Iii§'""'~~~;::::~~~ - , - --1--- .,---.bQ..G_IOf'f: ,----
,-.:::::::::-...!..:-""'----~T-.:'!.!10~0~0'__"_0.75 T ' 10000" T' 100 000·
-----0,5---------
0.25--_ _ _ _ __
0,1_._ _ _ _ _ _ __
Po-O.lJlm
po-O.oIJlm
\
;. Master
FIG. 7. Master curves of apparent
alq~~~l resistivity
resistivity for magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric soundings over a two-lay3
two-layer
earth. Apparent
earth. Apparent resistivity
resistivity plotted as
as aa function
function of period of the telluric
telluric component for various re-
sistivity contrasts. Numbers
sistivity Numbers on on the curves show
show the resistivity
resistivity of the lower medium in ohm-meters.
ohm-meters.
resistivity of the upper layer
Resistivity layer is always II ohm-meter.
is always ohm-meter.
624 LOUIS
LOliIS CAGNIARD
cnc*vr:lKLI
FIG.
I'IG. R.
8. Master
Master curves
curves of phase
I)hase differences
differences versus
versus the period of the telluric
telluric component for various
resistivity contrasts in aa two-layer
resistivity two-layer earth. l\'umbers
Kumlxrs on on the curves shou
sholl" the resistivity
resistivity of the lower
medium in ohm-meters. I~esistivity
Resistivity of the upper
up,xr layer is always II ohm-meter.
layer is ohm-meter.
Whereupon
Whereupon
2 7r 8
-:, = (21t +
I) “. ;
(211 + I)~- t/,=__.”
--
ylT= .
2 21l+
212 + II
nn being
being an in teger.
integer.
Of
Of their
their common
common points,
points, the
the one which
which is situated the most
situated the most to the
the right,
right, and
and
which
which is marked
marked /1
A on the
the chart,
eliart, is consequently
consequently defined by
deiined by
Pa
Pa =
= I,
I, -\/T=S.= 8.
ylT
The
The curves system e
curves of system 0 also have
have an infinite
infinite number points ID
number of points common
in common
which
which are defined
defined by:
by:
7r 4
e -, --,
4 n
nN being
being an integer.
integer.
BASIC
BASIC THEORV
TfiEOR E’ OF
Of; THE
THE !"IAGNETO-TELLURIC
MAGNETO-TELLURIC .'vIF-TElOD
.2ZETZZOfl 625
The
The coordinates
coordinates of the
the point
point which
which is situated
situated the farthest to the
the farthest the right,
right, are
are
consequently
consequently
7r
% = 2.,
0=--, yT
z/T=4.= 4.
4
In
In order
order to make
make use of the
the master
master curves
curves easier,
easier, we have
have marked
marked on the
the set for
for
o% the point A,
the point 11, having
the
the coordinates
having coordinates
71"
0 r,
,g == - , ,..11'=
d/r= 8,
4
which
which means
means thethe point
point having
having the the game
same abscissa
abscissa as point point A of the the curves
curves for
for po.
p".
An
An examination
examination of system system Pa pn shows thatthat the the apparent resistivity, equal
apparent resistivity, equal to
unity for T =
unity = 0o approaches
approaches P2 when T becomes
pa when becomes infinite. The general
infinite. The general configuration
configuration
of system
system Pa pa is, consequently,
consequently, the the same as that that of the abacus for
the abacus for two
two formations
formations
in classical
classical electrical
electrical soundings,
soundings, which which we shall
shall designate
designate fromfrom nownow on as E-sound-
E-sound-
ings in order
order to abbreviate.
abbreviate. Let Let us notice
notice that
that whenwhen T approaches
approaches zero, zero, the
the ap-
ap-
parent
parent resistivity
resistivity onlyonly approaches
approaches unity unity by by indefinite oscillation on both
indefinite oscillation both sides
of its limit.
limit. In
In this
this way,
way, itit is sometimes
sometimes possible
possible to observe apparent resistivities
observe apparent resistivities
which are very slightly
which slightly greater than than the
the greatest
greatest real real resistivities
resistivities of the the formations
formations
present,
present, or which
which are, on the the other
other hand,
hand, very
very slightly smaller than
slightly smaller than thethe smallest
smallest
of those resistivities. This phenomenon,
those resistivities. This phenomenon, a little paradoxical,
little paradoxical, is also observed, as
observed,
knows, in E-soundings,
one knows, E-soundings, but but only
only starting
starting withwith three formations.
three formations.
The
The examination
examination of system system 0 % shows that
that {j% is equal 71"/4, as well
equal to r/4, for T=o
well for T=o
as for T infinite. This
infinite. This set of curves, which
curves, which has no equivalent
equivalent in E-soundings, is
E-soundings,
evidently
evidently going
going to provide
provide one of the most useful
the most useful means means of control in MT-
control MT-
soundings.
soundings.
PRACTICAL
PRACTICAL USE
USE OF
OF MASTER
MASTER CURVES
CURVES FOR
FOR TWO
TWO FORMATIONS
FORMATIONS FOR THE
FOR THE INTER-
INTER-
PRETATION
PKETXTION OF
OF MT-SOUKDI:>rGS
MT-SOUNDINGS
All
All the the calculations
calculations andand theoretical formulas
formulas developed this memorandum
developed in this memorandum
imply
imply the the use of electro-magnetic
electro-magnetic units,
units, which
which may
may be of any
any sort providing they
sort providing they
are consistent:
consistent: cgs for instance.
instance. WeWe have
have said previously which electro-magnetic
previously which electro-magnetic
units
units we should should use in thethe expression
expression of the the experimental
experimental results (Formula
results (Formula 10).IO).
Those
Those unitsunits are very
very practical,
practical, but
but they
they are neither classical nor
neither classical nor self-consistent.
self-consistent.
Therefore,
Therefore, it it is necessary
necessary to specify
specify nownow that
that we no longer
longer want
want to consider
consider
our
our theoretical
theoretical master
master curves
curves as relating
relating to thethe cases of twotwo formations
formations withwith
resistivities
resistivities II and and h.r2. The
The resistivities
resistivities in question
question are 1!22nt and p&m.
Inm and The depth
P2nm. The depth
of the
the stratum
stratum is not I but but I Km.
Km. The The abscissa of point
point n not 8 but
A is not (8/,..110)
but (8/d10)
(sec)
(set)"'.112.
This
This beingbeing established,
established, when
when we represent
represent graphically the experimerttal
graphically the results
experimental results
of a real l\IT -sounding we shall
MT-sounding shall plot
plot as our
our abscissas the
the logarithms
logarithms of thethe square
square
root
root of the the period
period expressed
exnressed in seconds. The The ordinates of the
ordinates of the curve
curve will
will be loga-
loga-
626 WUIS CAGNIARD
LOUIS CAGNIARD
rithms of the numerical

rithms numerical value
value of the apparent
resistivities expressed
expressed in in Sn.
flm.
In addition
In addition to this,
this, we shall adopt
adopt the same scales
scales as for the theoretical
theoretical curves.
convenient to draw
It is convenient
It draw the experimental
experimental curves on commercial
commercial tracing
tracing paper
paper
which cross-section lines are printed.
on which printed. The
The master
master curves, on the contrary,
contrary, are
drawn on plain
drawn Bristol board.
plain Bristol board.
In order to know
In know ifif the two experimental
experimental curves pa and 0(J are characteristic
Pa and characteristic
involving two formations,
of a subsurface involving formations, and and in order
order to know
know the thickness of
the first one, or in other other words to carry
carry out
out an interpretation,
interpretation, one must must try,
try, by
by
suitable translations,
suitable translations, to bring
bring the two experimental
experimental curves into into coincidence,
coincidence, on
the one handhand with
with curve
curve pa, other hand
Pa, on the other hand with
with curve
curve 8, theoretical
(J, of the theoretical
set of curves.
If we are to be entitled
If entitled to consider the resultresult as
as satisfactory,
satisfactory, itit is necessary
to insure thatthat the two theoretical
theoretical curves with with which we compare the respective respective
experimental curves correspond to the same value
experimental value of the parameter
parameter pz_ Further-
P2. Further-
translations which
more, the two translations which are to be executed parallelparallel to the axis of the
abscissas must
abscissas must be identical.
identical. From
From then
then on, we shall be able to calculate
calculate the resis-
tivities pi’
tivities PI' and pz’ formations at
P2' of the two formations at the same time
time as as the depth
depth h’ h' of the
second one.
second
Point A of family
Point family pa, as seen
Pa, as through the transparent
seen through transparent tracing
tracing paper
paper on which
plot the experimental
we plot experimental data,
data, has itself
itself an ordinate
ordinate whose
whose numerical
numerical value
value is the
logarithm of pr’
logarithm Likewise, the asymptote
%z. Likewise,
PI'flm. asymptote of the theoretical
theoretical curve pa, Pa, considered
as sufficient, has OIZ
as on Gze ordinate whose
Ihe tracing paper an ordinate whose numerical
numerical value
value is the
logarithm of p2’
logarithm Qm. In
P2'Qm. In other
other words, the value p/ and
value of pl’ and p2’
P2' can be read at at once on
tracing paper
the tracing paper ifif one does
does not
not care for a precision of expression which, in this
case, has the inconvenience
case, inconvenience of making
making things
things which are veryvery plain
plain look extremely
extremely
complicated.
complicated.
The depth
The depth h’ remains to be determined.
h' remains determined. PointPoint A of the one or the other other aba-
aba-
cus, seen through
cus, seen through transparent
transparent tracing
tracing paper, has an abscissaabscissa whose
whose numerical
numerical
value
value is is X(sec)I/2.
X(sec)r’*. Conformably
Conformably to the laws of similitude, consequently,
similitude, one finds, consequently,
Whereupon
Whereupon
IO x __
x --,
KL2 = ---x2 .‘ h’ =
h' = -
s VIOp/
V’IOP~ km.
km.
64 ” ’ 8
INTERPRETATION
INTERPRETATION IN THE
IN THE CASE
CASE OF
OF ANY
AKl’ STRATIFIED
STRATIFIED EARTH.
EARTH.
RESOLVING
RESOL POWER OF
VING POWER OF MT-SOUNDINGS
MT-SOUNDINGS
Let
Let us
us now supose
supose thatthat one
one has
has to deal with
with three formations,
formations, of resistivities
resistivities
~1, pz,
PI, P2, and P3. The
~3. The depth of the second one is hi
second one is hr and that
that of the third formation
third formation
or substratum
substratum isis h 2 • If
h,. If the ratio
ratio hdhl
h2/hl is
is sufficiently
sufficiently great, the influence
influence of the sub-
B.4SIC THEORY
BASIC THEORY OF
OF THE
THE .lfAGNETO-TELU!RIC
.MAGNETO~TELI,l:RIC ,}fETHon
METHOD 627
e
8 (DEGREES)
(DEGREES 1
60~-------+--------~--------;-------~~----~--~------~
60
45r---~~~----~~----~~==~~r-------r-----~
30~-------+--------~--------1_--------+_--------~------~
10~--------~--------~----~__~------~+---------+-------~
2r-----~~~~------r---------+---------+_----~--1_------~
II I I
I IO
10 IO' IO’ IO' IO' 10.
FIG. 9. Computed
Computed curves for hypothetical
hypothetical magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric sounding over three layers in which which
thickness of second
thickness second layer
layer is
is 900
goo times that
that of first and in which PI,
pl, P2,
pr, and ,T~
P3 are in the ratio
ratio of 2:2: IO:
JO: I.I.
stratum starts to be appreciable

stratum appreciable only
only for such large periods that that the apparent
apparent
resistivity is already
resistivity already practically
practically equal to p2, while 80 has already
Pz, while already regained,
regained, to a
close approximation,
close approximation, its initial
initial value,
value, 7r/4.
7T"/4. In
In other
other words, the influence
influence of the
third formation
third formation onlyonly starts to make itself feltfelt for such periods that that the influence
influence
formation may
of the first formation may be neglected. In In order to determine
determine the termination
termination of
formations of this kind,
a graph for three formations kind, one is is simply construct two
simply led to construct
graphs (Pa
(paor 8) formations, one after
0) for two formations, after the other. In In the second
second of the graphs
formations, the formation
for two formations, formation which is from from now on to be known known as the first
resistivity p2
one has the resistivity P2 and the thickness hz, while the formation
hz, while formation from
from now on
known as
to be known as the second
second one possesses
possesses the resistivity
resistivity p3.
P3.
An example
An example of this kindkind is furnished
furnished byby Figure
Figure 9, inin which
which the ratio
ratio hz/hl
h2/hl is
supposed to have the value
supposed value of 900, while the resistivities
900, while resistivities pI,
Pl, ~2, and p3
P2, and propor-
P3 are propor-
tional to the numbers
tional numbers 2, and I.1.
10, and
2, IO,
This highly
This highly favorable
favorable circumstance
circumstance in which
which the master
master curves for two forma- forma-
at once allow
tions at allow the interpretation
interpretation of a sounding
sounding carried
carried out out over
over a section
section
WClS C.tCSI.tRD
involving
involving moremore than
than two
two formations
formations does not not occur if one is dealing
occur if dealing with
with strata
strata
of insufficient
insufficient thickness,
thickness, either
either for
for E-soundings
E-soundings or forfor MT-soundings.
MT-soundings.
Let
Let us imagine,
imagine, for instance,
instance, a subsoil
subsoil of three formations, such that
three formations, that hz//rl
hdhl
is equal
equal to 10,
IO, while
while the
the resistivities ~1, and
resistivities PI, P2, and Po are proportional
pa are proportional to 9, I,I, and
and rex;..
Figure
Figure 10 IO represents
represents the corresponding
corresponding E-sounding, while Figure
E-sounding, while Figure III I represents
represents
the
the two
two curves
curves for the MT-sounding.
MI-sounding.
h,
100
I00 -
--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---~----.___-------
50
50 -
20
20-
/
9 _____I~_I---------t-----------'If-------
_ENGTH OF
LENGTH OF LINE
2/j,
24
2 5 IO
10 20 50 100
FIG. 10.
FIG. IO. Computed
Computed curve for hypothetical
hypothetical resistivity conventional type over three
resistivity survey of conventional
layers in which thickness
thickness of second
second layer is IO times that of first and in which
is 10 \\'hich p,,
PI, p,,
P" and p3
p, are in the
ratio
ratio of 9:
g:r:I: and 00.
cu.
On each
each of those
those diagrams,
diagrams, the the apparent
apparent resistivity, equal to 9 for
resistivity, equal for the
the short
short
lengths
lengths of lineline (E-sounding)
(E-sounding) or the
the small
small periods (l\IT-soundings), decreases
periods (MT-soundings), decreases atat
first
first when
when one increases
increases the the length
length of the the line
line or the
the period,
period, reaches
reilches a minimum,
minimum,
and
and increases
increases indefinitely
indefinitely afterwards.
afterwards. This This minimum
minimum is not not equal
equal to I,I, either
either on
the E-sounding
E-sounding or on the the l\IT-sounding.
MT-sounding. One
One will notice however,
will notice however, that that while
while itit
is practically
practically equal
equal to I in the case of the the MT-sounding,*
NT-sounding,* it is only
it equal to 1.25
only equal 1.25
in the
the case of the the E-sounding.
E-sounding. In In order
order to obtain, the case of the
obtain, in the the E-sounding,
E-sounding,
with
with thethe same resistivities,
resistivities, a minimum
minimum practically equal to I,I, itit would
practically equal would be neces-
neces-
sary
sary that
that the
the ratio
ratio be at least 25.
at least 25.
We
We shall
shall conclude
conclude from from this,
this, atat first,
first, that the :'IT-sounding
that the NT-sounding separates
separates thethe
individual
individual effects
effects of the
the different
different strata
strata of the
the subsoil better than
subsoil better than thethe E-sounding,
E-sounding,
and
and that
that its resolving
resolving power
power is almost
almost twotwo and
and a half times higher.
half times higher. AlsoAlso bearing
bearing in
mind
mind the the additional
additional information
information furnished
furnished by by the phase curves,
the phase curves, itit is consequently
consequently
* And even slightly
slightly less
less than unity,
unity, because
because of the somewhat paradoxical
paradoxical phenomenon pointed
out when we described
described the master curve for two formations.
formations.
THEORY OF
R.ASIC THEORY
BASIC OF THE
THE }fAGNETO-TELLURIC
MAGNETO-TELLURIC METHOD
METHOD 629
ee (DEGREES)
(DEGREES)
60
/r ~
45
-
30
30
15
15
o0
'""" ~
20~---------------+----------------1---------------~
20
IOr-------~----~-+----------------1_-
9,_"!
- - -
FIG.
Frc. III.I. Computed
Computed curves for hypothetical
hypothetical magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric sounding
over three layer
layer configuration
configuration of Figure
Figure IO.
IO.
already
already very
very obvious thatthat the MT-sounding
MT-sounding allows one to arrivearrive at more precise
precise
conclusions thanthan the E-sounding,
E-sounding, even if one is is satisfied with
with semi-qualitativr
semi-qualitative
information.
information.
But still,
But still, in thecase~of
the-ca5eof MT-soundings,
MT-soundings, -when
when the problem
problem calls for it, it, there~is
there is
nothing to keep us
!lDthing us from submitting the semi-qualitative
from submitting semi-qualitative hypothesis we are refer- refer-
ring to here to the test of exact calculation.
calculation. When
When one has suspected
suspected the existence
certain number
of a certain number of strata,
strata, when one has been able to estimate
estimate approximately
approximately
the order of magnitude
magnitude of their
their thicknesses
thicknesses and of their
their resistivities,
resistivities, one can per-
form the complete calculation
calculation of the results that
that one would
would obtain
obtain if the subsoil
exactly the supposed
presented exactly structure. If
supposed structure. disagreement between
If there is disagreement between calcu-
calcu-
lation
lation and experience, one will will alter
alter the values formerly
formerly assumed for the resistivi-
resistivi-
ties and
and the thicknesses
thicknesses so
so as
as to obtain
obtain an entirely
entirely satisfactory
satisfactory result
result by
by a method
method
successive approximations.
of successive approximations.
In other
In other words, the MT-sounding
MT-sounding can be analyzed
analyzed byby the same method
method of
interpretation
interpretation one can apply apply in
in gravimetry
gravimetry and
and in
in magnetism
magnetism whichwhich is so so satis-
satis-
factory for the prospector, but
factory but without
without fear
fear of the disastrous consequences
consequences of
the fundamental
fundamental ambiguity
ambiguity which characterizes
characterizes those last
last two
two methods.
Indeed,
Indeed, the calculation
calculation in
in question
question does
does not
not involve
involve integrals
integrals nor
nor series,
series, as
630 LOUIS CACNIARD
LOUIS CAGNIARD
we have
we seen. ItIt can
have seen. can be
be readily
readily carried
carried out
out when
when the
the general
general formulas
formulas for
for four,
four,
five, or more
five, more formations
formations havehave been
been established
established in
in advance
advance inin algebraic
algebraic form,
form, asas
have demonstrated
we have demonstrated here in in the
the case
case of
of two
two and
and three
three formations.
formations.
However, itit is possible
However, possible to do much
much better
better and
and to save
save much
much time
time by
by use
use of
of an
an
almost exclusively
almost exclusively graphical
graphical method
method which
which is based
based onon the
the results
results which
which will
will be
be
obtained in
obtained in the
the following
following paragraph.
paragraph.
APPARENT RESISTIVITIES
APPARENT RESISTIVITIES AND
AND PHASES
PHASES AT
AT THE
THE DIPPERENT
DIFFERENT LEVELS
LEVELS
INSIDE AA HOMOGENEOUS
INSIDE HOMOGENEOUS FORMATION
FORMATION
Within a stratified
Within stratified section the complex
complex relation E;rj Hv has a specific value
relation E,/H, value
at each level
at level of depth
depth z. We
We are going to obtain
obtain a formula
formula particularly
particularly important
important
. .
. . . , '.1'
. . . .~
pa*_: :,; .‘
. &i, .(
.
.
.
.,.. ,: -* . .
.-
. . .'
/id&. .: . ,•
::
.. - .
•
'.'
'. . I" .
-,.~~~~:
I.
n •
: y_ • 1
&,
. .
.
‘ *
..:;:R;...:_R:..::..:....I_ _~~....IIL...'
. . Z =?o, = z,tS
z-z,=
- 1.
11. t P,
_ _._·
..
~ = -t.,
%=C, . .. -. ,_
.*. - . . . . . . .
FIG. 12. Geometry for computing

I2. Geometry computing relationships two levels in same medium.
relationships between two medium.
in practice
practice by
by considering two levels Z1 z1 and Z2 same
22 at a distance h, inside the Same
formation
formation of conductivity (Figure 12).
conductivity (Ju (Figure 12). We
We shall put
put down
iay-;'
ia-\/; Ex
E’, .
R= = -
R - -
__ - ~--- =
= - i2 tan r. (57)
w
w Il
11,y
The
The complex numbers Rand R and r are functions
functions of z which represent respectively
respectively the
RI and r1
values R1 = Z1 and R2
rl for zz=zl Rzand r2 = Z2.
r2 for zz=z?.
A and B B designating two constants, we have learned that that the expressions
expressions for
the fields
fields (formulas
(formulas 17, 18) 18) are of the form
Ex = Aeav;;-z
Hy = -
+ Be-av;;-z,
: ay-;'(Ae aV;;- z _ Be- av;;- z)
I .
(58)
One deduces these that:

deduces from these that:
R = I + XemzaqTz B
+p, = -
A = Cr (59)
I _ Xe-2a4”” ; A '
or
or in
in another
another form
form
BASIC
BASIC THEORY
THEORY OF THE
THE .lfAGNETO·TELLURIC
METHOD 631
R-I
___ e2a+Tr = x = cr.
1
( 60)
(60)
K+I
Consequently,
Consequently, one calculates at once Rz as a function
once R2 function of RI:
Rj :
R = Rj(1
RI(I +
+ eeZaQ/,h)
2a v'.-h) + (I
(I +
e2avu h)
__ e?ad”h)
R22 = -------=-------=-- (61)
Rj(1
Rl(I -_ ee2d-h)
2a v'u h) + (I
(I + e-‘ + h) ’
e2ao ,'u h) +
and, afterwards, r2 as
afterwards, r2 as a function
function of rj:
rr:
rl - tan (iay-;;
tan rj (iud/a h)
tan '2
r2 = - = tan (rr - itid/a h), (62)
+ 11 tan (iayO"
r + tan rj
1 (iad; h)
from which finally

finally
r2 = rl - iad; h = rl + d2 (h/p)e-3iT14. (63)

The
The indeterminacy
indeterminacy of the argument
argument r does
does not concern us, since
since we are only
only inter-
inter-
ested
ested in the value R.
value of R.
It
It is
is easy now to go
go back to the apparent
resistivities p. phases 80
Pa and to the phases
defined by
(64)
Consequently
Consequently one has
has
d
Pa
- tan r,
e--i(o+*/4) = tan r,
(65)
P
and finally
finally
(Pa) 2 tzn r2 2
2L(82~01) = __ (06)
(66)
ol e- ( tan rl > *
Since the calculations

calculations of the prospectors
prospectors are not usually
usually carried
carried out to 20
20
decimal
decimal places,
places, a simple chart
chart of the complex values of the tangents
tangents of a complex
argument calculate an MT
argument allows one to calculate -sounding very
MT-sounding very quickly n I forma-
quickly for %+I forma- +
starting from a sounding for n formations
tions starting formations when the (n+ I)st formation
(n+r)st formation is
situated
situated on top of the nth
nth one ..
one..
REMARKS
REMARKS
I.
1. In
In the calculation
calculation of a theoretical
theoretical MT-sounding
MT-sounding by an operation successive approximations,
operation of successive approximations,
the geophysicist, by constructing
constructing his theoretical
theoretical section through stacking of strata
through the stacking strata laid down one
one
on top of the other, proceeds
on proceeds exactly
exactly in the same
same way
way asas nature
nature did when the real strata
strata of the ground
were laid down by successive
successiveprocesses
processesof sedimentation.
sedimentation.
a. At
2. At two stations over a sedimentary
sedimentary basin, the section only principle and as
only differs, in principle as a first
approximation, through the addition~r
approximation, through addition-r through the subtraction~f
through certain number
subtraction--of a certain number of superficial
632 LOUIS
LOUIS CAGNIARD
CAGNIARD
strata.
strata. Consequently,
Consequently, it will
will often be convenient asas a first working calculate the complex
working hypothesis to calculate
ratio of the complex quotients
ratio quotients Ex/H.,
E,/H,, obtained
obtained experimentally
experimentally at the two stations, a ratio ratio whose
whose
interpretation
interpretation involvesonly
involvesonly the thickness of the superficial layer,
layer, which is different
different for the two stations.
3. When,
When, for oneone reason
reason or another,
another, one
one knows with
with certainty re~istivities of the ground to a
certainty the resistivities
certain depth, it
certain it may
may be
be easy to omit,
omit, through
through calculation,
calculation, the influence of this knownknown part
part of the
ground and limit
limit the interpretation
interpretation only to the unknown
unknown subjacent portion.
subjacent portion.
4. This
This circumstance occurs
occurs in particular
particular when oneone performs a MT-sounding
MT-sounding over a body of
water
water for which the depth and conductivity
conductivity are known.
known. The The former calculation allows one
former calculation one in such
such a
case to correct the MT-sounding
case MT-sounding for the influence of the sea; sea; in other words, it allows oneone to obtain,
obtain,
through a very calculation, the diagrams for the MT-sounding
very accurate calculation, MT-sounding thatthat one
one could have deter-
experimentally if the water
mined experimentally water were to have been
been drained away.
away.
VARIA TIONS APPLICABLE

VARIATIONS APPLICABLE TO
TO MT-SOUNDINGS
MT-SOUNDINGS PERFORMED
PERFORMED UNDER THE
UNDER THE SEA
SEA
The
The measurement
measurement of the electricalelectrical field at sea sea does
does not present any any specific
specific
technical difficulty. The
technical difficulty. The line of measurement
measurement is is maintained
maintained on the surface of the
water
water through the use use of floaters, in the same same wayway asas fishermen do with with their
their
nets. Moreover,
Moreover, there is
is no difficulty whatsoever
difficulty whatsoever in carrying
carrying out a correct gal-
vanometric
vanometric recording on board of a ship tossed about
tossed about by the waves. One need
only
only be suspicious
suspicious if one observes
observes phenomena
phenomena which have a period the same
either
either asas that
that of the marine
marine currents
currents or as as that
that of the swell, since the electrical
electrical
currents
currents induced by motion motion of the conducting
conducting water magnetic field of the
water in the magnetic
earth
earth do not meet the requirements
requirements of the theory theory we have set forth.
set forth.
The
The measurement
measurement of the magnetic magnetic field offers more serious serious technical
technical diffi-
diffi-
culties if one is not willing
willing or able to install install a self-recording magnetometer on a
self-recording magnetometer
series
series of piles forming
forming a foundation
foundation or in an immersed box on the bottom bottom of the
sea.
sea.
One way
way of avoiding
avoiding the difficulty
difficulty consists
consists in registering magnetic field on
registering the magnetic
the ground and the electric field in
the ground in the sea. The
the sea. The daily
daily experience of prospectors
prospectors who
use
use the telluric
telluric method, has shown, indeed, that that in sedimentary
sedimentary beds, beds, the line
of the telluric
telluric current
current keeps
keeps an almost constant constant direction expanses as
direction over expanses as large
as 20-70 km. Besides,
as 20-70 Besides, this direction
direction would be strictly uniform in a precisely
strictly uniform
stratified
stratified earth.
earth.
N
Nowow the telluric
telluric current,
current, even if it is a variable current, is, approximately
variable current, approximately
conservative
conservative because
because of its very very low frequency.
frequency. As II have already already pointed
pointed out,
the magnetic
magnetic field is very very approximately
approximately the same stations not
same at two stations not too dis-
tant
tant from eacheach other on the same straight line ox, since it
same straight it represents, except for
a factor 471",
47r, the total
total intensity
intensity of the tellurictelluric current through a stratum
current through stratum of unitunit
width
width starting
starting from the surface normal normal to ox.
The
The argument
argument essentially
essentially implies that that the two stations are situated situated on the
same straight line ox, perpendicular
same straight perpe.ndicular to the magnetic component one is consider-
magnetic component
ing. Consequently,
Consequently, it is is very
very advisable
advisable to adhere to this condition condition if possible.
possible.
However,
However, experience shows shows that,
that, in practice,
practice, this requirement
requirement is is not
not always strict-
strict-
ly
ly binding.
binding.
These observations
observations will will not come
come as as a surprise to observatory
observatory geophysicists.
Through
Through experience, they they are well convinced
convinced of the fact that that the meaning
meaning of
their
their magnetic
magnetic data data does
does not depend particularly electrical resistivity
particularly on the electrical resistivity
BASIC THEORY
BASIC THEORY OF
OF THE
THE MAGNETO-TELLURIC
METHOD 633
of the
of the geological
geological strata
strata inin the
the vicinity
vicinity ofof their
their observatory.
observatory. But, But, for
for over
over aa hun-
hun-
dred years, since the first observation of telluric current, it has been
dred years, since the first observation of telluric current, it has been found that in found that in
telluric registrations, on the contrary, one has had to be greatly
telluric registrations, on the contrary, one has had to be greatly concerned with concerned with
the local
the local geologic
geologicstructure.
structure.
Another way to
Another way to avoid avoid thethe difficulty
difficulty consists
consists inin observing
observing that
that inin the
the homo-
homo-
geneous medium formed by the sea water, where a telluric sheet
geneous medium formed by the sea water, where a telluric sheet is flowing parallel is flowing parallel
to ox,
to ox, the
the relation
relation between
between any any twotwo electro-magnetic
electro-magnetic dimensions,
dimensions, depending
depending
linearly on the Hertz vector, is expressed as a function of parameter AX only
linearly on the Hertz vector, is expressed as a function of parameter only
(Equation 59). The ratio E,/H, is also expressed as a function
(Equation 59). The ratio Ex/ Hy is also expressed as a function of A. In other of X. In other
c 0
--,------------------+~------------l=Z2
--,
I
---+
I
-:~
I
I
I
--_
II ---- ---
A
-~t lA - J # --
B t=i!,
2-r
///1:; /!iT/l 11/mlT/llilm
//////////////////////////////////////////////// IIiiI//l/TiI/TJmI / - I
FIG. 13.
FIG. 13. Configuration
Configuration ofofelectrodes
electrodeson
onwater
water bottom
bottom for
for submarine
submarine MT
MT measurements.
measurements
words, the
words, the study
study of of the
the relation
relation of of any
any two
two electro-magnetic
electro-magnetic quantities quantities isis abso-
abso-
lutely equivalent to that of
lutely equivalent to that of the ratio E,j Hy.the ratio E,/H,.
One can,
One can, for
for instance,
instance, substitute
substitute for for the
the measurement
measurement of of Hy,Hy, the
the measurement
measurement
of the electromotive force induced in a large
of the electromotive force induced in a large vertical ring parallel to vertical ring parallel to ox,ox, this
this
ring being constructed much more easily on the
ring being constructed much more easily on the sea than on the ground. Yet sea than on the ground. Yet
one knows that, if the vertical height of this ring is
one knows that, if the vertical height of this ring is small so that the magneticsmall so that the magnetic
component HH,y inside
component inside itit isisalmost
almost uniform,
uniform, the the measurement
measurement of of the
the induced
induced elec-elec-
tromotive force is a classical way
tromotive force is a classical way of measuring H y. of measuring H,.
ItIt may
may be be easier
easier to to substitute
substitute for for the
the measurement
measurement of of the the magnetic
magnetic field field HH,11
that of a second electric field. Let us go back to Figure
that of a second electric field. Let us go back to Figure I I, supposing this time II, supposing this time
that level
that level ZIz1represents
representsthe the horizontal
horizontal sea sea bottom,
bottom, levellevel Z2
z2the
the surface
surface of of the
the water
water
(or, in a more general way, any level between the bottom
(or, in a more general way, any level between the bottom and the surface of the and the surface of the
sea). It is easy to measure the field E, on the bottom
sea). It is easy to measure the field Ex on the bottom of the sea by means of two of the sea by means of two
immersed electrodes
immersed electrodes AA and and EB connected
connected with with recording
recording equipment
equipment on on thethe boat
boat
by the two lines AC and
by the two lines AC and ED (Fig. 13). BD (Fig. 13).
ItIt cancan bebe shown

shown that that
(67)
634 LOUIS
LOUIS CAGNIARD
CAGNIARD
in which Papa and ()8 have reference

reference to the apparent
resistivity and to the phase
phase
relative
relative to level Zl,
zr, the level of the bottom
bottom of the sea;
sea; that
that is
is to say, the param-
theparam-
eters
eters of an MT-sounding
MT-sounding thatthat could be
be performed
performed on the sea
sea bottom
bottom if drained.
CONCLUSIOK.
CONCLUSION. FIELDS
FIELDS OF PRACTICAL
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
APPLICATION FOR
FOR THE
THE MAGNETO-
MAGNETO-
TELLURIC
TELLURIC METHOD
METHOD
It follows from the above that

It that the ideal way to apply apply the magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric
method consists
consists in performing
performing an NIT-sounding
MT-sounding as as described. When When the subsoil
is
is approximatively
approximatively tabular,
tabular, the harmonic
harmonic analysis of the telluric telluric and magnetic
magnetic
diagrams makes it possible
possible to conduct a careful quantitative
quantitative interpretation
interpretation which
gives
gives us us the thickness and the resistivity
resistivity of the various strata. strata.
The
The periods higher than than one
one second
second are exactly
exactly adapted to the study study of large
sedimentary
sedimentary beds beds and their petroliferous
petroliferous structure.
structure. Besides,
Besides, their their recording doesdoes
not involve
involve serious
serious technical difficulties.
difficulties.
The
The study of the shortest periods, less less than
than one second,
second, seemsseems technically
technically
difficuit
diflicuit at the present stage stage of
of the art. However,
However, it is is less
less urgent
urgent in the light
light of
of
present needs
needs in geophysical prospecting. It It should eventually
eventually allow allow usus to adapt
adapt
magneto-telluric method to various applications requiring detail
applications requiring detail of the kind
kind
involved
involved in civilcivil engineering
engineering studies, in mineralmineral prospecting, and and in in the search
search
for underground
underground water.
water.
We want
want to draw attention
attention to the fact that that an isolated MT-sounding
NIT-sounding carried
on in the center of a large unknown unknown area can present information information similar
similar to that
that
given by by a wildcat
wildcat well in a large scale scale reconnaissance. For For instance,
instance, the measure-
ment
ment of the number
number of kilometers
kilometers thickness of sedimentsediment in the center of a large
basin presents a problem
problem which cannotcannot be solved even partially partially by by any
any geophysi-
cal method
method up untiluntil now. The The magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric methodmethod should be able to solve
problem by
the problem use of only
by use only a single station.
station.
The discarding
The discarding of the base base station,
station, which is is indispensable
indispensable in in the telluric
telluric meth-
meth-
operator more freedom of movement
od, gives the operator movement and and improves
improves the organiza-
organiza-
tion of his survey.
tion survey. He He is no longer compelled
compelled to proceed slowly. slowly. He He can afford to
rational way
operate in a more rational way byby setting
setting up his initial
initial stations
stations at at some distance
distance
from each other. Later Later on, he can locate stations
stations withwith a closer
closer spacing, but but only
only
extent required
to the extent required by by continuity.
continuity.
Consequently, one can lay
Consequently, layout survey of a large sedimentary
out the survey sedimentary basin by by
performing
performing at the start
start a small number
number of MT-soundings
MT-soundings far removed
far removed fromfrom one
another, but
another, but with
with a great
great depth
depth of investigation.
investigation. In In the second
second step, one will will
intercalate
intercalate stations closer together,
closer together, and at these
at these he will perform MT-soundings
will perform l\fT-soundings
with a more moderate
with moderate depthdepth of penetration.
penetration. Finally,
Finally, thethe continuity
continuity between
between the
stations will
stations will be assured
assured either
either by
by soundings with with a relatively
relatively small
small depth
depth of in-
in-
vestigation, or, once in a while,
vestigation, while, by
by simple,
simple, quick
quick determinations
determinations of the apparent apparent
resistivity
resistivity summarily
summarily evaluated
evaluated through
through a very very simplified
simplified analysis
analysis of the mag-mag-
neto-telluric data. It
neto-telluric data. It is unnecessary to add that
that the magneto-telluric method
magneto-telluric method
will be particularly
will particularly appreciated
appreciated everyevery time
time thatthat a deep petroliferous
petroliferous structure
structure
B.ISIC TIIEOR1-
B.L')fC TIIEORI- OF
OF THE .\LlG.YF:TO-TELLCRIC
.II.~G.~~TO-TELLI'RIC .IIETHOD
.\[ETHOD 635
appears
appears in complete
complete disharmony
disharmony withwith thethe structure the surface.
structure on the surface. In
In this
this case
it is essential
essential for the
the prospector
prospector to penetrate
penetrate to a great
great depth
depth of investigation.
investigation.
If it
If it should
should happen
happen that
that the earth
earth is notnot even approximately stratified,
even approximately stratified, the
the
quantitative
quantitative interpretation
interpretation of the
the MT-soundings
MT-soundings must be just
must just about
about ruled
ruled out.
out.
A knowledge
knowledge of the the apparent
resistivities and
and of their variation as a function
their variation function of
the
the period
period and
and of the direction
direction of the
the line
line provides, nevertheless, certain
provides, nevertheless, certain indica-
indica-
tions
tions which
which can be diagnostic
diagnostic in special
special cases, even though they
even though they are
are to a large
large
degree
degree qualitative.
qualitative.
.\CKXOWLEDGME"-;TS
.kCKSOWLEDGhZESTS
I am very very glad

glad to express
express my my heartiest
heartiest thanks
thanks to Mrs.Mrs. F. F. 13.
B. Riek,
Riek, Jr.,
]r., to
Dr.
Dr. Robert
Robert '-an ITan Xostrand,
Sostrand, Dr. Dr. Milton
Milton B. B. Dobrin
Dobrin andand Dr. R. L.
Dr. R. L. (‘Caldwell,
aldwell, Field
Field
Research
Research Laboratories,
Laboratories, Magnolia
Magnolia Petroleum
Petroleum Company,
Company, and and to Mr. Mr. R. E. Selzer,
Selzer,
physicist
physicist at the Institut Institut de Physique
Physique du Globe Globe of Paris.
Paris.
Mrs.
Mrs. Riek,Riek, a professional
professional translator,
translator, undertook
undertook thethe translation
translation of my my French
French
text
text into
into English
English for the the Magnolia
Magnolia Petroleum
Petroleum Company.
Company. Drs. Drs. \-an
'-an Sostrand,
X ostrand,
Dobrin,
Dobrin, and and Caldwell
Caldwell editededited thethe translation
translation with competence and
with competence and judgment.
judgment.
My
My friend
friend Mr. Mr. Selzer
Selzer gave
gave me valuable
valuable helphelp in correction
correction of thethe proofs.
proofs.
The
The theoretical
theoretical work work reported
reported in this this paper
paper was done
done some
some timetime ago and and has
been mentioned
mentioned in applicationsapplications for patentspatents which have been
which have been mademade in several
several
countries
countries to protect protect the the newnew prospecting
prospecting met hod involved.
method involved. Because
Because of the the po-
po-
tential
tential practical
practical applications
applications I have have hadhad to postpone
postpone any any publication
publication relatedrelated to
magneto-telluric
magneto-telluric phenomena
phenomena for for many
many years.
years.
Meanwhile,
Meanwhile, the
the Russian
Russian scientist
scientist Tikhonov,
Tikhonov, and the
and the Japanese
Japanese scientists
scientists
., Kato,
Kate, Kikuchi
Kikuchi and and Rikitake
Rikitake had had also recognized
recognized thethe existence
existence of such an effect. effect.
To
To my my knowledge,
knowledge, they they have
have notnot pointed
pointed outout the possibility disclosed
the possibility disclosed by by mymy
work
work of applying
applying these results results to practical
practical geophysical exploration. They
geophysical exploration. They have,
have,
however,
however, paid paid attention
attention to theirtheir possible
possible use for investigating
investigating the the electrical
electrical con-
con-
duct ivities of very
ductivities very deepdeep regions
regions in the the Earth's
Earth’s crust.
crust.
It
It is therefore
therefore a real pleasurepleasure for me to give give these scientists
scientists proper
proper credit
credit and
and
to list the
the papers
papers that,that, to my my kno\\-ledge,
knowledge, they they have published on 1
have published t his subject:
subject:
Kate, Y.
Kato, Y. and
and Kikuchi,
Kikuchi, T. T. (1950)
(1950) Sci.
Sci. Rep.
Rep. T6hokll
TGhokzr CniT.
tyf~fz’. Ser. I’ T",
, Geoplzysics,
Geophysics,
Vol.
\‘Ol. 2,
2, p.
p. 139.
139.
Rikitake,
Rikitake, T. T. (1950)
(1950) RIIIl.
R~tll. Earthquake
Earlkquake Res., Illst. Zrrsf. Tokyo
Tok>w Clzil'., Vol. 28,
I.H;T’., 1701. 28, 11.
p. 45,
219. Also (rgjr) '-01.
Also (1951) 1701. 29, pp.
pp. 61, 271.
Tikhonov,
Tikhonov, A.1\'. (1950) Dokl.
A. N. (1950) Akad. "Yauk
Dokl. Akad. Sal&k S_S.S.R.
S.S.S.R. 73, 295.

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BASIC

FIG. I. Coordinate systPIll. xy plane represents earth's surface. : is rositiw downward.

As for the phase, it is

whereas the accurate formula factor 471:,

[Tnits and magnitudes

JI 'y 1065 em cgs

ifiit!i the ne'oN

DEPTHS OF PENETRATIOK GIVEK IN KM

AMPLITUDES OF TilE ;\1AGNETIC FIELD GIVEN IK 'Y 'WHEN E IS I Mv/KM

E, = ,le”%“’ + &“““,‘ ( 17)

a = 271" ' /~- e-;,.-!4 = __ 2~ (1 - i). (I R)

FJ(;.4. Plane electromagnetic wave incident upon earth's surface.

The constant K is chosen to satisfy

K = cd/aaT er*14, (22)

Hy = e i"/4 Y2 0"IT[ _Aeav~ Z + Be-av~ zJ.

Aeav~" + Be-a,'~ = e- av;;; h II

- Ay;:;- eav;-, + By;; e- av;-,

M sin ¢ = (~ - ~) (~ sinh 11 - ~ cosh U) sin u

_Y sin if; = (~ - ~) (~ cosh 1t - -=- sinh U) sin u

happen that the phasephase of H H,y with respect

I E,’ 2 CDS zh,/pl

rithms of the numerical

stratum starts to be appreciable

FIG. 12. Geometry for computing

One deduces these that:

from which finally

r2 = rl - iad; h = rl + d2 (h/p)e-3iT14. (63)

Since the calculations

VARIA TIONS APPLICABLE

ItIt cancan bebe shown

in which Papa and ()8 have reference

It follows from the above that

I am very very glad

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