Laterally Constrained Inversion of GREATEM data

Abstract

Recently, the grounded electrical-source airborne transient electromagnetic (GREATEM) system with high power source was introduced to achieve deeper investigation depth and to overcome high noise level. Although the GREATEM is a transient electromagnetic system using a long grounded wire as the transmitter, GREATEM data have been interpreted with 1D earth models because 2D or 3D modeling and inversion of vast airborne data are complicated and expensive to calculate. Generally, 1D inversion is subsequently applied to every survey point and combining 1D images together forms the stitched conductivity-depth image. However, the stitched models often result in abrupt variations in neighboring models. To overcome this problem, laterally constrained inversion (LCI) has been developed in inversion of ATEM data, which can yield layered sections with lateral smooth transitions. In this study, we analysed the GREATEM data through 1D numerical modeling for a curved grounded wire source. Furthermore, we developed a laterally constrained inversion scheme for continuous GREATEM data based on a layered earth model. All 1D data sets and models are inverted as one system, producing layered sections with lateral smooth transitions. Applying the developed LCI technique to the GREATEM data, it was confirmed that the laterally constrained inversion can provide laterally smooth model sections that reflect the layering of the survey area effectively.