Deep underground imaging utilizing resistivity regularization for magnetotelluric processing

摘要

A method and apparatus for imaging deep underground objects utilizes the application of a spectral regularization routine that is applied to measured data prior to the application of an inversion routine to measured surface impedances to map subsurface conductivity. Specifically, measurement of magnetic and electric fields is conducted utilizing sensors at a measurement site, a processor is used to generate either resistivity or conductivity data based on the measurements of the sensors, the processor then performs the spectral regularization routine and an inversion routine to generate data that can be utilized to identify underground targets. The spectral regularization routine and inversion routine can either be processed separately (decoupled) or together. The measurements of the magnetic and electric fields are preferably made under the assumption of the presence of a plane wave at the measurement site.