Backpack-Mounted TEM System for Efficient and High-Resolution Subsurface Mapping

We introduce, a lightweight and ultra-portable transient electromagnetic (TEM) system designed for rapid and efficient subsurface imaging. Capable of investigating depths up to 70 meters, the system enables continuous profiling of up to 1 km within 10–15 minutes, making it well-suited for applications such as road construction, shallow groundwater mapping, and managed aquifer recharge. The system uses a compact 0.65 × 0.65 m² coil setup, carried in a backpack configuration by a two-person team—one operating the transmitter and the other the receiver.

Built on the SuperTEM platform, TEM2Go allows bias-free data acquisition from 4.5 microseconds, with a bandwidth exceeding 350 kHz and high-frequency repetition rates. This enables high signal-to-noise ratio data with minimal internal noise and no drift. Compared to conventional methods like Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), TEM2Go offers faster deployment and improved usability in challenging terrains.

We validated TEM2Go against a reference resistivity model from the Danish national TEM test site and found strong agreement with traditional ERT results. The key geological layers were similarly resolved across methods. By combining speed, portability, and data quality, the system provides a reliable and scalable alternative for near-surface geophysical investigations.