Events

Electrical resistivity of rocks. What is it? Why is it useful? How do we model it?

Applications of integration of electric and electromagnetic geophysical methods

Zoё Vestrum – Senior Geophysicist, Axiom Exploration Group

Abstract

Electrical resistivity is a diagnostic property of rocks which can be useful for mapping aquifers, permafrost, hydrothermal alteration, and metal or clay content. There are several electric and electromagnetic geophysical methods that are sensitive to subsurface resistivity. Each of these methods provide unique information as they have different lateral sensitivities and depth of investigations. In this talk, we will discuss fundamentals of electrical resistivity of rocks, describe electric and electromagnetic methods, and finally show some examples of combining different electric and electromagnetic methods to create holistic models of subsurface resistivity structure.

Bio

Zoë Vestrum is a Senior Geophysicist at Axiom Exploration Group and a PhD Candidate at the University of Alberta. Zoë has a diverse academic background in geophysics with thesis topics in seismic, geodynamics, and electromagnetics. Her doctoral research focuses on creating robust resistivity models by integrating resistivity information from different electric and electromagnetic methods into magnetotelluric (MT) inversion. She uses this holistic, multiphysics approach at Axiom Exploration Group as we acquire a wide range of geophysical data.