بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم
University of Khartoum
Faculty of Science
Department of Geology
Course Title:
Electromagnetic Methods
By: Dr Mohamed Abdelwahab Lecture 2
Transient EM (TEM)
A significant problem with many EM surveying techniques is that a small secondary field must be
measured in the presence of a much larger primary field, with a consequent decrease in accuracy.
This problem is overcome in time-domain electromagnetic surveying (TDEM), sometimes called
pulsed or transient-field EM, by using a primary field which is not continuous but consists of a
series of pulses separated by periods when it is inactive.
• By the transient electromagnetic method, TEM, the electrical resistivity of the underground
layers down to a depth of several hundred meters can be measured.
• Ground based measurements as well as airborne surveys (SkyTEM) to cover large areas are
possible.
• The method was originally designed for mineral
investigations.
• Over the last two decades the TEM method has become increasingly popular for
hydrogeological purposes as well as general geological mapping
Basic physics of time-domain EM
Electric current flows through the transmitter loop and generates a static
primary magnetic field (HP).
The transmitter current is then switched off and the primary magnetic field
immediately falls to zero. This change in magnetic field induces a secondary
electric current in the Earth.
The secondary current acts to
oppose the decrease in the
primary magnetic field (Lenz’s
Law). If an induced current flows, its direction is
always such that it will oppose the change which produced it Over time the secondary electric currents spread out
Over time the secondary electric currents spread out
(diffuse) in a pattern that is similar to a smoke ring.
(diffuse) in a pattern that is similar to a smoke ring.
The secondary electric current distribution can be approximated as a horizontal
loop of current and generates a secondary magnetic field, HS (t).
Transient EM (TEM)
TEM uses a primary field which is not continuous but consists of
a series of pulses separated by measurement periods when the
transmitter is inactive
Primary and secondary fields are clearly separated
Investigation depth up to several km could be achieved, but
difficult to use in shallow geophysics (no reliable information in
the 0-10 m depth range)
The secondary currents move deeper as time increases, and thus
gives information about progressively deeper structure. Initially the
magnetic field is oriented downwards at the RX.
As the current ring passes beneath
𝟐𝒕
the RX, the sign of Hs changes. 𝜹𝑻 =
σμ𝟎
Depth of penetration in a halfspace
✿𝐓 = 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
During the first part of the decay, behaviour μ = 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝟎
is mathematically quite complicated,
however at late times decays with a σ = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉
relatively simple form 𝒕 = 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
Thus at a given time (t) after switch off, the value of
at late time will become larger as the ground
becomes more conductive.
In the figure on right-hand
decays slowly for the 1 Ωm halfspace
and quickly for the 1000 Ωm halfspace with
the RX at 100 m from the TX.
Hs decays slowly in conductors and quickly in
resistors.
• Most commonly, ground TEM data
acquisition employs either the moving loop
or fixed-loop survey geometry:
• Moving-loop
• transmitter and receiver are moved
simultaneously along a survey line.
• a single TEM measurement is made for each
transmitter setup.
• loop sizes typically restricted to 100- 200 m
due to logistical difficulties.
• moving-loop surveys are generally used for
reconnaissance.
• Most commonly, ground TEM data
acquisition employs either the moving-loop
or fixed-loop survey geometry:
Fixed-loop
Fixed-loop o a large transmitter loop is
laid out and remains in position during
the TEM survey.
• measurements are made along a
survey line at a series of receiver
positions.
• Loop sizes vary from several hundreds
of meters to up a few kilometers and
are positioned for maximum magnetic
field coupling with prospective targets.
• Typically, rectangular transmitter
loops are employed, with the long
side oriented parallel to the expected
strike of the target conductors.
• Because the depth of penetration of the EM fields depends on
frequency (or time), it is possible to carry out a depth sounding by
keeping the transmitter and receiver positions fixed and by making
measurements at a range of delay times
• Sounding is logistically easier using EM methods than using DC
resistivity techniques, where increased depth of penetration can only
be achieved by increasing the electrode separation
• As with DC resistivity sounding, EM sounding can be performed by
keeping the frequency (or time) fixed, and increasing the separation
between the transmitter and receiver
• EM profiling may be carried out in two ways: – The transmitter may
remain fixed, and the receiver coil moved along the survey line
(Fixed-loop geometry)
– The transmitter and receiver coils may be moved along the survey
line together, with the distance between them remaining constant
(Moving loop geometry)
Profiling is usually carried out in order to detect local zones of
anomalously high conductivity (e.g., massive sulfides) - this is the
most common application of the TEM method
• As was the case for DC resistivity profiling, the shape of the anomaly
over a given target is strongly dependent on the transmitter-receiver
geometry used
Interpretation of TEM band of highly-conductive
The transient secondary field produced by the decaying eddy currents can last from less than a graphitic black shale
millisecond for poor conductors to more than 20 ms for good conductors.
The decaying secondary field is quantified by measuring the temporal variation of the
amplitude of the secondary field at a number of fixed times (channels) after primary cut-off
In good conductors the secondary field is of long duration and will register in most of the channels;
In poor conductors the secondary field will only register in the channels recorded soon after
the primary field becomes inactive.
Repeated measurements can be stacked in a manner analogous to seismic waves to
improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
The position and attitude of the conductor can be estimated from the change in amplitude
from place to place of the secondary field in selected channels, while depth estimates can
be made from the anomaly half-width.
TDEM response is expressed in terms of the induced voltage in the loop e(t) normalized with
respect to the current in the transmitter loop I.
The response is shown for a number of different times after primary cut-off.
The response persists into the latest channels, indicating the presence of a good conductor
which corresponds to the graphitic shale. The asymmetry of the response curves and their
variation from channel to channel allows the dip of the conductor to be estimated.
The first channel, which logs the response to relatively shallow depths, peaks to the right. The maximum moves to the left in later
channels, which give the response to progressively greater depths, indicating that the conductor dips in that direction.
