We experimentally validate a relatively recent electrokinetic formulation of the streaming potential (SP) coefficient as developed by Pride (1994). The start of our investigation focuses on the streaming potential coefficient, which gives rise to the coupling of mechanical and electromagnetic fields. It is found that the theoretical amplitude values of this dynamic SP coefficient are in good agreement with the normalized experimental results over a wide frequency range, assuming no frequency dependence of the bulk conductivity. By adopting the full set of electrokinetic equations, a full-waveform wave propagation model is formulated. We compare the model predictions, neglecting the interface response and modeling only the coseismic fields, with laboratory measurements of a seismic wave of frequency 500 kHz that generates electromagnetic signals. Agreement is observed between measurement and electrokinetic theory regarding the coseismic electric field. The governing equations are subsequently adopted to study the applicability of seismoelectric interferometry. It is shown that seismic sources at a single boundary location are sufficient to retrieve the 1D seismoelectric responses, both for the coseismic and interface components, in a layered model.

Understanding the seismoelectric interface response is important for developing seismoelectric field methods for oil exploration and environmental/engineering geophysics. The existing seismoelectric theory has never been validated systematically by controlled experiments. We have designed and developed an experimental setup in which acoustic-toelectromagnetic wave conversions at interfaces are measured. An acoustic source emits a pressure wave that impinges upon a porous sample. The reflected electric-wave potential is recorded by a wire electrode. We have also developed a full-waveform electrokinetic theoretical model based on the Sommerfeld approach and have compared it with measurements at positions perpendicular and parallel to the fluid/porous-medium interface.We performed experiments at several salinities. For 10 -3 and 10 -2 M sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, both waveforms and amplitudes agree. For 10 -4 M NaCl, however, amplitude deviations occur. We found that a single amplitude field scaling factor describes these discrepancies. We also checked the repeatability of experiments. The amplitudes are constant for the duration of an experiment (1-4 hours) but decrease on longer time scales $24 hours ð Þ . However, the waveforms and spatial amplitude pattern of the electric wavefield are preserved over time. Our results validate electrokinetic theory for the seismic-to-electromagnetic-wave conversion at interfaces for subsurface exploration purposes.

A full-waveform seismoelectric numerical model incorporating the directivity pattern of a pressure source is developed. This model provides predictions of coseismic electric fields and the electromagnetic waves that originate from a fluid/porous-medium interface. An experimental setup in which coseismic electric fields and interface responses are measured is constructed. The seismoelectric origin of the signals is confirmed. The numerically predicted polarity reversal of the interfacial signal and seismoelectric effects due to multiple scattering are detected in the measurements. Both the simulated coseismic electric fields and the electromagnetic waves originating from interfaces agree with the measurements in terms of travel times, waveform, polarity, amplitude, and spatial amplitude decay, demonstrating that seismoelectric effects are comprehensively described by theory.