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Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic

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European Journal of Scientific Research
ISSN 1450-216X Vol. 122 No 4 May, 2014, pp.433-445
© EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2014
http://www.europeanjournalofscientificresearch.com 

Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic

Precambrian Area  
By

Harlin L. Ekoro Nkoungou

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering, Ouagadougou,
Burkina-Faso

Philippe Njandjock Nouck

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Jacqueline Tchakounte
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé,
Cameroon

Dieudonné Bisso
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé,
Cameroon
Memve-Ele Dam Project, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Eliézer Manguelle Dicoum

Cameroon Academy of Science, Cameroon

Email: pnnouck@yahoo.com

Abstract

Magneto telluric response with scalar data was developed by the combination of the
Vozoff diagonal impedance tensor estimation and Schmucker phase to study the crust
constraint, faulting network and deep anomalies. The results presented on this paper confirm
that, this approach can be suitable to conduct structural study in unstable Precambrian zone.

Key words: Magneto telluric response; Faulting network; Crust constraint; Critical faul;
Resistivity.
Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic Precambrian Area 435

1. Introduction
Magneto telluric scalar data does not classically permit to obtain tensorial parameters
which are primordial for a good Geophysical interpretation in seismic and non-tabular media.
In this study, using the combination of the Schmucker phase, non-diagonal impedance
calculation of P.Wiedelt [1] and K. Vozoff diagonal impedance tensor estimation [2], we
determine the main magneto telluric response based on the swift skew and the strike angle.
We also provide the crust constraint, faulting network and deep anomalies structures for a
better geological interpretation. This paper discusses the results obtained with twenty-two
Magneto telluric soundings carried out in the seismic Precambrian zone of southern
Cameroon in Central Africa.

2. Geology and seismicity

The study area (figure 1) is located in the seismic Precambrian zone of Central Africa,
between latitudes N02°15' and N02°31' and longitudes E10°15' and E10°30', in the lower
reaches of the Ntem basin [3]. Its catchment area is 26.350 km². At this site, the Memve-Ele
waterfalls with about 35 m head offer favorite conditions for a hydroelectric power plant
development. The geological background suggests that, the formations encountered are
widely composed of pyroxene-hornblende gneisses and granitic rocks which derived from
metamorphosed Precambrian sedimentary formations and which are characterized by the
development and distribution of faults and schiscosity [4].

Figure 1:  Geologic map of Memve Ele area, modified [3]. 
 436 Ekoro Nkoungou Harlin L., Njandjock Nouck Philippe, Tchakounte Jacqueline,
Bisso Dieudonné and Manguelle Dicoum Eliézer
 

Ambrasey and Adams, using an historical reference around Cameroon, have described
three seismic events which might affected the site [5].

3. Method and Data

3.1. Data Acquisition
The equipment used in this campaign is a resistivity-meter ECA 540. This device is
composed of two identical selective measuring outlets, associated to an acquisition and
calculation system that uses a micro-processor. The data sets were collected into two
perpendicular directions (N-S and E-W).

3.2. Method
The data used in this study were acquired according to magneto telluric method principle
which mainly measures the apparent resistivity of physical environments through its
fundamental relationship (1) [6]:

Figure 2: Geological Profile poundage dam axis 5 [4])

2 2
1 E 1 E
 = ;  = ; (1)
wo H wo H
o =10-7henry/m
The longitudinal conductance (S) may be obtained using equation (2):
n
h
S i   i (siemens) (2)
i 1 i
where  i     
Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic Precambrian Area 437

hi being the terrain thickness and w the frequency. The phase values  have been determined
using equation (3),
 d log  a (T )
 ( w)  (1  ) ; 0    90 (3)  
4 d log(T )
Where, ρa and T are respectively the apparent resistivity and period [1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9].
Resistivity and phase values were inverted and modeled [7, 10, 11].
The pseudo-depth of penetration in relation with the frequency f is got from the skin-
effect given by Equation (4):
a
 (km)  0,503 (4)
f  
From measurements taken at the surface, it is possible to identify the anisotropy  of the
subsurface for the structural trend for a given region [2]. In this work,  is determined
according to (5):

 (5)

 
Because the conductivity depends on the depth and the horizontal direction, the
relations between the electric and the magnetic field can be expressed by the impedance
tensor (6).

 E   Z xx Z   H 
  =     (6)
 E   Z  Z yy   H  

A good approximation is obtained by minimizing the sum square modules of diagonal

elements and maximizing the means of non-diagonal elements (7) [2].
2
Z ( ) + Z  ( )  max
2

2
Z xx ( ) + Z yy ( )  min
2
(7)
Z  wo  ;
Z   wo   ;
Z  Z (cos   i sin  )
The combination of non-diagonal value obtained with those of electric and magnetic fields,
has enabled the estimation of diagonal elements computed by (7). Where invariant parameters
are defined as (8, 9, 10 and 11):
S1  Z xx  Z yy (8)
S2  Z  Z  (9)
D1  Z xx  Z yy (10)
D 2  Z  Z  (11)

and invariant rotational tensors (12 and 13) are obtained by [8]:
 438 Ekoro Nkoungou Harlin L., Njandjock Nouck Philippe, Tchakounte Jacqueline,
Bisso Dieudonné and Manguelle Dicoum Eliézer
 

2 R e( D1 S 2 )
tan(4 )  (12)
D1  S 2
2 2

S1
k  (13)
D2

Where  and k are respectively strike angle and skew.

4. Results and discussion

Generally, the scalar MT approach enables to plot apparent resistivity curves versus
frequency or period. In this study, the combination of Vozoff diagonal impedance tensor and
Schmucker phase (equations 3 and 6) has enable to plot apparent resistivity and phase curves
versus frequencies. Also, Swift skew and strike angle are determined and discussed.
4.1. Apparent resistivity and phase
The apparent resistivity and phase versus frequencies on figure 3, following the two
directions shows models with six layers in the whole area. These models obtained by
inversion of data, correlate with the geological informations from wells and boreholes [3, 7, 9,
10]. According to these results, it appears two abrupt falls of resistivity at the third and fifth
layers.
4.2. Pseudo Section of resistivity
The pseudo-section curves of resistivity plotted according to E-W direction (figure 4),
highlights 2-D structure along profile A and isolated 3-D structures along profile B and C.

Figure 3: Sounding Curves resistivity and phase (AYAKOUMAN) E-W

 Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic Precambrian Area 439

7
Ω.m  Ω.m  16
Ω.m 
6 14
140000 480000
85000 460000
80000 130000 440000
420000
75000 400000
120000 12
70000 380000
5 360000
65000 110000
340000
60000 320000
100000
55000 300000

Profondeur (da km)

10
90000 280000
50000
Profondeur (da km)

260000
4 45000 240000
80000
40000 220000
70000 8 200000
35000 180000
30000 60000 160000
140000
3 25000 120000
50000
20000 6 100000
15000 40000 80000
60000
12500 40000
30000
10000 20000
2 20000 4 10000
7500
5000
5000 10000 2500
2500 0
0 0
2
1

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

0 1 2 3 4 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7
A1 A2 A4 B1 B2 B3
A3 Distances (km) Profil"C" E-W
Distances ( km) Profil "A" E-W Distances (km) Profil "B", E-W

Figure 4: Pseudo Sections of resistivity on Profile “E-W”

Strike angle and Skew

The Skew values obtained with the equation (13) vary between 0.05 and 0.86 tables (1, 2
and 3) confirming that, 3-D structures with the Skew higher than 0.6 can be observed in
profile C. While the 2-D structures with the Skew less than 0.6 can be observed in profiles A
and C.
Also, the strike angle means values (table 4) show pronounced variations on profiles A and
B, and, less marked according to profile C. These 2D structures according to geological
drilling and seismic refraction study can be associated to faults or a contact made up of two
adjacent blocks of different resistivity [3, 9, 10, 11].
4.3. Geo-electrical Sections
According to table (1, 2 and 3) the Stricke angle values are lower in N-S direction,
suggesting that, structures are perpendicular to E-W direction as it can be observed in figure1.
For this reason, profiles A, B and C were plotted and interpreted according to this direction.
 Profile A
The geo-electrical section of profile A (figure 5) obtained with the resistivity and phase
data shows an alteritic layer underlying by a preserved layer of Gneiss-Granites and faults
structures in the whole area. In addition, we note the progressive increase of the Granitic
Shield at the first station with an abrupt increase between the third and the fourth station
which is the signature of the obvious faults detected [4, 12].
 Profile B
According to this profile (figure 6), a hornblende Gneiss-Granite structure arises at the
first, fourth and fifth stations, follow by, a preserved Gneiss-Granite at the two other stations
at the surface. More ever one depression appears at the third station with the increase of the
Granitic Shield at the second and fourth stations. Then, the incrustation of the well preserved
Gneiss-Granite structures at the third station can be justify by the presence of a strong
anisotropy leading to the existence of the faults network along the Ntem river course[12].
 440 Ekoro Nkoungou Harlin L., Njandjock Nouck Philippe, Tchakounte Jacqueline,
Bisso Dieudonné and Manguelle Dicoum Eliézer
 

Figure 5: Geo-electric section, Profile A

 Profile C
On this profile (figure 7) hornblende Gneiss-Granite is also observed at the first, second,
third, fourth and fifth stations with preserved Gneiss-Granite at the two last stations on
surface. In addition, profile also shows the uprising of the Granitic Shield at the first station
located close to the Njo'o River, where a major fault was predicted [4]. The new increase of
Granitic Shield at the fifth and sixth stations suggests the presence of other faults.
Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic Precambrian Area 441

Figure 6: Geo-electric section, Profile B

4.4. Shield Morphology, Conductivity

Observation of the pace of the Shield let’s bring out a corridor which can be interpreted
like the continuation of the network of faults which make the course of the Ntem river.
Moreover it appears two pick of shield near the cross river which show the presence of two
other faults orientation. Then it is possible to characterize the network fault of this zone by the
shield morphology which was affected by old seismic activity [5].
By the other way, two pick of conductivity were observed at 20 kilometers along two
major’s faults crossing along interception of A and B, (figure 6) this fact suppose abnormal
distribution of the constraint.
 442 Ekoro Nkoungou Harlin L., Njandjock Nouck Philippe, Tchakounte Jacqueline,
Bisso Dieudonné and Manguelle Dicoum Eliézer
 

Figure 7: Geo-electric section, Profile C 

Table 1: Magneto telluric Response Profile A Table 2: Magneto telluric Response Profile B
A1:AYAKOUMAN A 2:NKOYEM A3:MELEN OKE A 4 ENGONG MELEN B 1: ALOUM B 2 : LOUM NTEM B 3 : NYABESSAN

X= 0 km X= 1,5 km X= 3,0 km X= 4,5 km x= 0,0km X= 1,0 km X= 2,0 km

k Θ  Λ  K θ  Λ  k Θ  Λ  k θ  Λ  K Θ  λ  K Θ  λ  K θ  λ 

0,1 10,21 1,46 0,15 -10,56 0,35 0,07 -4,64 0,28 0,06 -0,01 1,49 0,19 -0,42 1,00 0,09 -0,59 3,42 0,1 0,09 1,44

0,07 2,47 1,42 0,14 2,01 0,36 0,12 1,79 0,28 0,39 -0,36 1,50 0,06 -0,06 1,00 0,06 -0,78 3,62 0,20 -1,55 1,44

0,10 -0,16 1,38 0,09 1,38 0,38 0 10 22,04 0,28 0,35 -0,07 1,50 0,20 1,1 0,99 0,13 -0,90 3,85 0,36 -7,27 1,44

0,30 -3,77 1,34 0,11 -17,28 0,39 0,13 1,32 0,29 0,14 1,42 1,51 0,10 0,92 0,98 0,09 0,84 4,07 0,27 0,21 1,43

0,09 3,80 1,30 0,20 -5,96 0,40 0,16 -0,38 0,30 0,17 13,16 1,51 0,10 0,60 0,98 0,09 1,97 4,28 0,26 5,27 1,43

0,07 -0,96 1,24 0,09 -0,05 0,42 0,07 0,42 0,32 0,10 -8,15 1,50 0,17 -12,36 0,97 0,05 0,18 4,44 0,15 -2,76 1,42

0,25 8,68 1,17 0,37 2,05 0,44 0,86 4,42 0,35 0,14 -9,49 1,48 0,08 -2,72 0,96 0,06 -0,25 4,49 0,08 2,41 1,41

0,09 -5,91 1,05 0,21 4,55 0,46 0,13 0,65 0,37 0,16 -13,86 1,43 0,10 -0,10 0,95 0,08 1,91 4,36 0,08 -13,58 1,38

0,06 -0,04 0,91 0,13 18,74 0,47 0,10 5,74 0,37 0,16 -15,58 1,35 0,16 0,74 0,93 0,07 -0,71 4,02 0,07 0,17 1,34

0,17 15,77 0,80 0,05 -0,10 0,48 0,10 -0,17 0,36 0,10 -17,79 1,29 0,08 3,36 0,92 0,09 1,45 3,65 0,06 3,50 1,30

0,19 0,65 0,78 0,14 -21,35 0,49 0,13 -9,89 0,37 0,23 2,13 1,29 0,06 2,99 0,95 0,12 5,46 3,54 0,23 3,20 1,28

0,06 1,11 0,85 0,16 17,05 0,52 0,11 6,66 0,40 0,16 -3,40 1,36 0,11 -11,48 0,99 0,11 0,16 3,77 0,08 -13,53 1,33

2,65 -0,79 2,87 -4,33 -1,45 0,73 -1,99

Electromagnetic Impedance and Phase Studies in Seismic Precambrian Area 443

Table 3: Magneto-telluric Response Profile C

C 7: EP
C 1: NJOH (YOP) C 2: NZOG (YOP) C 3: NYABESSAN C 4: LAYON EKOAN C 5: MELEN C 6: ABETE NNEMEYONG
X= 0,0 km X= 2,0 km X= 4,0 km X= 6,0 km X= 8,0 km X= 10,0 km X= 12,0 km
k Θ  λ  K θ  Λ  k Θ  λ  k θ  λ  K Θ  λ  K Θ  λ  k θ  λ 
0,09 -2,61 1,18 0,06 -0,22 1,65 0,09 0,95 2,36 0,06 0,26 1,60 0,07 0,13 0,90 0,29 -0,18 0,86 0,12 2,00 0,46
0,11 -16,14 1,17 0,07 0,04 1,66 0,14 -12,74 2,39 0,06 -18,91 1,63 0,07 -21,39 0,88 0,07 -0,10 0,86 0,09 0 4 0,47
0,06 2,29 1,15 0,16 0,08 1,67 0,10 0,46 2,42 0,13 -17,44 1,66 0,13 -19,34 0,87 0,15 -0,63 0,85 0,07 2,61 0,47
0,06 -5,08 1,14 0,18 0,07 1,68 0,18 6,44 2,43 0,07 -0,07 1,68 0,07 11,38 0,85 0,33 -1,36 0,85 0,09 7,39 0,47
0,11 2,81 1,12 0,09 4,54 1,68 0,09 -10,71 2,43 0,11 -5,71 1,70 0,14 2,03 0,84 0,14 0,82 0,85 0,06 -0,12 0,48
0,09 -8,34 1,11 0,05 -0,01 1,66 0,10 5,92 2,39 0,19 -2,65 1,71 0,23 8,67 0,83 0,22 13,56 0,85 0,06 0,13 0,50
0,12 0,69 1,09 0,17 0,42 1,61 0,06 5,92 2,29 0,10 2,71 1,71 0,76 5,98 0,83 0,23 16,82 0,85 0,08 0,15 0,53
0,16 19,60 1,08 0,43 -0,88 1,52 0,06 -0,04 2,13 0,08 11,09 1,68 0,15 13,42 0,83 0,16 -12,98 0,84 0,05 0,00 0,56
0,09 9,37 1,05 0,17 -0,10 1,42 0,11 0,01 1,94 0,12 0,81 1,64 0,10 4,20 0,84 0,20 -16,20 0,84 0,22 0,21 0,56
0,12 0,96 1,03 0,55 1,20 1,39 0,10 10,10 1,86 0,06 -0,20 1,62 0,08 -1,20 0,87 0,06 0,91 0,83 0,09 1,35 0,53
0,85 -0,39 1,02 0,06 -0,38 1,47 0,22 -1,76 1,93 0,26 -2,47 1,65 0,20 13,18 0,91 0,24 -7,72 0,83 0,10 -2,91 0,51
0,23 1,60 1,03 0,07 0,58 1,57 0,08 0,24 2,01 0,13 -12,41 1,69 0,15 -21,03 0,91 0,26 2,12 0,82 0,07 0,52 0,53
0,40 0,45 0,40 -3,75 -0,33 -0,41 0,95

N 
N

Figure 8: Shield Morphology Figure 9: Conductivity at 20 km

Table 4: Mean Strike Angle Values

Profil A Profil B Profil C
A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7
2,65 -0,79 2,87 -4,33 -1,45 0,73 -1,99 0,40 0,45 0,40 -3,75 -0,33 -0,41 0,95

4.5. Faulting Network

Equations 5 and 8, tables 1, 2 and 3 and figures 8 and 9 based on the anisotropy
coefficient have allowed to detect the Network faults consisting of four faults defining the
course of the Ntem river in conformity with the morphology of the granitic shield [4]. In
 444 Ekoro Nkoungou Harlin L., Njandjock Nouck Philippe, Tchakounte Jacqueline,
Bisso Dieudonné and Manguelle Dicoum Eliézer

addition, dimensional analysis starting from the Swift Skew values confirmed the presence of
this faulting network and presented values higher than 0,1 at six frequencies tables 3.
However, the fourth fault has been only predicted with this new approach [11, 13, 14].

4.6. Crust constraint

According to equations 1, 2 and 3 the Shield morphology (figures 6and 8) lets appears two
picks around the area where the boats cross the river and which we believe, illustrate the
existence of the former seismic activity [5]. Furthermore, two picks of conductivity observed
around this area (figure 9) confirm that, seismic events have affected this zone [12]. Then, it is
plausible to assume that, crustal constraint is higher around this zone. In the same manner,
equation 8 and table 4 show that, the mean strike angle values change from one station to
another in profile A and B. These observations confirm a contact made up of two adjacent
blocks of different resistivity’s source of abnormal constraint as presumed earlier by [5].

5. Conclusion
Magneto telluric response was obtained by the combination of the Vozoff diagonal
impedance tensor estimation method and Schmucker phase in an unstable Precambrian zone.
The approach has allowed to perform structural analysis in a Precambrian seismic area by the
Swift Skew which has detected the entire faulting network in this area. Furthermore, the strike
angle has permitted to detect abnormal constraint prevalence in this zone.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the late Mr. Philippe NKOUNGOU MBA, Mr. Jeannot
NOUCK and Mrs. Julienne Ngo MATIP for theirs general comments and suggestions. They
also want to thank Mrs. Esther BINDANG MBOT for the financial support.
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