Inversion and Joint Inversion of Electromagnetic and Potential Field Data

Abstract: In this thesis, four inversion problems of different scale and difficulty are solved. Two of them are electromagnetic inverse problems. Two more are joint inversion problems of potential field data and other types of data. First, a linear approximation, which is a generalization of the low-induction-number approximation standard in slingram dual-loop interpretation is developed and used for rapid two and three dimensional inversion. The approximation takes induction within a background half-space into account and can thus be applied in conductive scenarios, where otherwise a rigorous electromagnetic modeling would be required. Second, a three-dimensional inversion of airborne tensor very-low-frequency data with a rigorous forward modeling at its core is developed. For dealing with the large scale of the forward problem, a nested fast-Fourier-transform-based integral equation method is introduced, wherein electromagnetic interactions are arranged according to their range and larger ranges are treated with less accuracy and effort. The inversion improves the traditional interpretation through data derived maps by providing a conductivity model, thus constraining the upper few hundred meters of the crust down to the shallowest conductor and allowing the study of its top in three dimensions. The third inversion problem is the the joint inversion of refraction and geoelectric data. By requiring the velocity and resistivity models to share a common, laterally variable layered geometry, easily interpretable models, which are reasonable in many geological near surface situations (e.g., groundwater exploration in Quaternary sediments), are produced directly from the joint inversion. Finally, a joint inversion of large scale potential field data from a gabbro intrusion is presented. Gravity and magnetic data are required to abide to a petrophysical constraint, which is derived from extensive field sampling. The impact of the constraint is maximized under the provision that both data sets are explained equally well as they would be through individual inversions. This leads to a simple and clearly defined intrusion geometry, consistent for both the density and magnetic susceptibility distribution. In all presented inversion problems, field data sets are successfully inverted, the results are appraised through synthetic tests and, if available, through comparison with independent data.