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THE SMOOTH SOUNDING GRAPH. A Manual for Field Work ... - BGR

THE SMOOTH SOUNDING GRAPH. A Manual for Field Work ... - BGR

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1.5. The fundamental principle <strong>for</strong> geoelectric sounding on a<br />

layered earth<br />

18<br />

At first we shall explain by a simple model the current density within a<br />

layered underground.<br />

Case 1 (Fig.12)<br />

For explanation we only look at the electrodes A and B on the earth’s sur-<br />

face and their distance L. The layer below the surface has a resistivity ρ1.<br />

Its thickness be h. It is underlain by a second layer infinitely extended.<br />

We assume that this second layer is an insulator (ρ = ∞). When we ob-<br />

serve the distance L in relation to h, we can see that the current can ex-<br />

tend normally within the first layer, that means be hardly influenced by<br />

the insulator.<br />

Case 2 (Fig.13)<br />

We have again the same electrode distance L, but the thickness h of the<br />

first layer has been reduced. By this of course the geology is changed, the<br />

measuring configuration however is still the same. When we look again at<br />

the distance L in relation to h, we can see that the current lines seem<br />

somehow pressed to the surface. As result we can derive: If h becomes<br />

smaller at the same electrode configuration, the current lines will be com-<br />

pressed more and more. There<strong>for</strong>e the current density increases and con-<br />

sequently does the voltage at the potential electrodes. To zoom the insu-<br />

lator means increasing the current density "below our feet" at the centre<br />

point.

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