Natural electric field explorer: a practical geological exploration method

Natural electric field explorer is a kind of electric exploration method, which utilizes natural electric field as the source of working field, based on the difference of resistivity of underground rock, ore or underground water, and obtains the information of the distribution of different underground geological bodies, burial depth and resistivity by measuring the electric field strength and potential difference on the ground. This method has the advantages of no artificial power supply, lightweight equipment, simple operation, small amount of work, fast speed and low cost, etc., and has a wide range of application prospects in the fields of mineral resources exploration, hydrogeological investigation, engineering geological survey and so on.

First, the principle of natural electric field explorer

The basic principle of natural electric field exploration instrument is underground water or underground rock ore resistivity is different at the same time, the natural electric field on the ground will produce corresponding changes. These changes can be obtained by measuring the electric field strength and potential difference on the ground. When geologic bodies with different resistivities are present underground, the electric field in the ground will change. By measuring these changes, information such as the distribution, burial depth and resistivity of different geologic bodies underground can be inferred.

Second, the application of natural electric field explorer

In practical application, natural electric field exploration instrument usually needs to be combined with other geological investigation methods, such as geological mapping, geophysical logging and drilling, in order to more accurately determine the distribution and nature of underground geological bodies. The following introduces the application of natural electric field explorer in several fields.

1.Water search

In water-scarce areas, the Natural Electric Field Explorer can be utilized to search for groundwater. Since groundwater has a low resistivity relative to the surrounding medium, this feature can be utilized to find the location of groundwater. During the measurement, the electrodes are arranged on the measuring line, and the potential difference between the two electrodes is measured. If the potential difference is found to be lower, it means that there is richer groundwater in the area.

2.Finding Ore

Due to the differences in the resistivity of different ore bodies, the natural electric field exploration instrument can be used to detect the distribution of ore bodies with different resistivity. In practical application, the electrode can be arranged above the ore body and the potential difference between the electrodes can be measured. If the potential difference is found to be high, it means that there is a high resistivity ore body in the area, and vice versa, it means that there is no ore body or a low resistivity ore body in the area.

3. Engineering geological survey

In the engineering geological investigation, natural electric field exploration instrument can be used to detect the geotechnical interface, underground caves and bad geological bodies. By measuring the electric field strength and potential difference on the ground, the location of underground geotechnical interfaces and undesirable geological bodies can be determined. In addition, the location and size of underground caves can also be detected by using the natural electric field explorer, so that timely measures can be taken for reinforcement treatment.

III. Conclusion

Natural electric field explorer is a very practical geological exploration method with wide application prospects. In practical application, it needs to be combined with other geological investigation methods in order to more accurately determine the distribution and nature of underground geological bodies. In the future, with the continuous progress of science and technology and the continuous expansion of application fields, the natural electric field explorer will be more widely used and promoted.