The magnetotelluric (MT) method is a frequency-domain electromagnetic (EM) sounding technique used to

investigate the electrical structure of earth’s subsurface. The method exploits naturally existing EM fields
(typically in frequency bands that spans from 0.001 Hz to 20 kHz).
 The sources are:
• Ionosphere (particles are activated by sunlight radiation): 0,001-1 Hz (MT signal)
• Storms (thunders): 1Ηz-20KHz (AMT signal)

 This primary EM fields induce secondary electric and magnetic fields in the conductive earth.
Electric currents caused to flow in the earth by earth’s changing
magnetic field are called ‘’telluric currents’’.

 An electromagnetic wave (signal) consists of two primary

components - an ELECTRIC FIELD and a MAGNETIC FIELD. The
electric field results from force of voltage, and the magnetic field
results from the flow of current. They are perpendicular to one
E= electric component another and to the direction of propagation.

H= magnetic component
The variation of EM field recorded at the surface of the earth is diagnostic to the subsurface electrical properties
i.e. resistivity or conductivity. EM fields variation with time is measured by using magnetometers and electrodes.
For MT sounding two horizontal components of electric field (Ex and Ey) and two components of magnetic field
(Hx and Hy) are recorded.
If the electrical field is applied along the bedding plane the measurement of electrical field will have a value and
if the electrical field is applied in the transverse direction the measurement will have different value. In the
second case the calculation of apparent resistivity will be higher. If the electrical field is applied to any other
direction the measurement of electric field will have two components that will not be parallel or vertical to
bedding plane. For this reason for the same profile we have two different apparent resistivity interpretation.
• The calculation of Apparent resistivity (ohm per m) is based on the recording of electric field components (Ex
and Ey) and magnetic field components (Hx and Hy)
f=frequency(Hz, f=1/period)
m= magnetic permeability (H/m)
E= electric field (V/m)
H= magnetic field (A/m)
• When the electrical field is applied along the bedding plane is called E-polarization and we have Ex=0, Hy=0.
When the electrical field is applied in the transverse direction is called H-polarization and we have Ey=0,
Hx=0.
• PSEUDOSECTION The apparent resistivity
is calculated for different frequencies and is
plotted with them. In Y-axis are the
frequencies and in X-axis are the line of the
measurements. In that plot is represented an
example of a pseudosection when the
electrical field is applied in the transverse
direction.
 Interpretation of pseudosection for geological
information will lead to FALSE results, because the
apparent resistivity is not represent the real
electrical structure of earth’s subsurface
  The MT interpreter takes the processed data (apparent resistivity values) and interprets it to a representation of
true resistivity versus depth. This can be done using forward or inverse modeling.

 With forward modeling, the interpreter creates a CROSS-SECTION, computes the MT response and compares it
with the acquired data. With the inverse modeling, the interpreter allows the computer to create a cross-section
from the acquired data
 Both types of modeling result in cross-sections or maps of the subsurface where the resistivity of the subsurface is
interpreted to represent certain geologic formations

 In conclusion the final geological model ,which represents the real electrical structure of earth’s subsurface (i.e. real
resistivity layers in ohm.m) and can be geologically interpreted, will be constructed by the inversion of the recorded
data.