Types of resistivity surveys

There are several variations on resistivity surveys:

1. A “lateral profile” aims to locate anomalies,

along a line or on a map
2. A “depth profile” aims to construct a vertical
profile of subsurface resistivities and depths
3. A combination of the above, which aims to
construct a “pseudo-section” or a “real section”
 Lateral profiling
In lateral profiling the
apparent resistivity will
respond to lateral changes
in the true resisitivity.
Two cases are illustrated:
the Wenner profile, with four
mobil electrodes, and the
Schlumberger (gradient)
array with two mobile
electrodes.
 Depth sounding

Roughly 30% of the current

penetrates below a depth
approximately equal to the
electrode spacing.
Increased current
penetration means apparent
resistivity will be more
affected by deeper layers.
Depth sounding

In a two layer case, the

apparent resistivity will
either increase with spacing,
or decrease, depending on
the layer properties.

In a three layer case the

profile has several possible
appearances.
Master curves (“type curves”)
For a two layer model, it is possible to derive a
relationship of the form:

where k is a measure of the resistivity contrast,

If we choose a value of k and plot the relationship,

changing ρ1 only changes the vertical scale, and
changing h only changes the horizontal scale.
Master curves (“type curves”)

Instead of plotting this relationship, it is more useful

to plot log ρa vs log a, since

This means if ρ1 changes, the plot is identical

except for a vertical shift, and if h changes the plot
is identical except for a horizontal shift.
 Master curves (“type curves”)
Recipe for using master
curves:
1. Plot the data on the
same logarithmic scale
as the master curves
2. Shift the data to find the
best fitting master curve
3. Read the vertical and
horizontal shifts to find
ρ1 and h
4. Read the value of k to
find ρ2
 Pseudo-sections

On occasion a more
extensive picture is required,
combining lateral profiles
with depth sounding.
Imagine two lateral profiles,
with different array spacings:
only the larger array spacing
will “see” a deeper anomaly.
 Pseudo-sections

We may wish to use a

variety of spacings to
build a more complete
sub-surface picture.
A special technique for
plotting data from these
surveys is commong.
This is the “pseudo-
section” – captures all
data simultaneously
 Confused?
The best way to understand
pseudo-sections is to plot one …
Given these
dipole-dipole
data, fill-in the
missing column,
and create a
pseudo-section.
What might be
going on in this
example?
 Pseudo-sections
A pseudo-section is not
a true resistivity section
– it is only a way of
plotting the data.

The data from a scale

model illustrate the
limitations – note the
typical “inverted-Vee”
shape of the result
 Pseudo-sections

Top: a pseudo-section from a groundwater application.

Bottom: a “real-section” result using the same data.
 Next lecture: Design of resistivity
surveys
1. Survey objectives
2. Depth of target
3. Adequate signal strength
4. Sensitivity to target parameters
5. Symmetry of the response
6. Minimize manual repositioning of electrodes
7. Compatibility with “Induced Polarization” (see
later)