Interpretation Of Data From Electrical Resistivity Measurements

The underlying purpose of any geophysical data-acquisition<br>program is the discerning of some aspect of sub-surface conditions.<br>The process of drawing inference from accumulated data is that<br>which we call "interpretation." With some justification and no<br>deprecation, the step of "making sense" of a set of geophysical<br>survey results is often viewed as more an art than a science. The<br>thesis of this presentation is that the interpretive art is most<br>productively pursued as an intuitive process guided by an<br>understanding of the controlling physics. The process is generally<br>assisted by consideration of the results expected from known<br>models. Accordingly, we shall review the governing physics of<br>electrical properties of earth materials and of the measurement<br>techniques commonly employed and then turn to consideration of some<br>of the computing methods available to assist the interpreter,<br>including both forward and inverse methods.