A simple iterative approach to shape and depth estimation from sp residual anomalies

Abstract EN

We have developed a simple numerical approach to define shape and depth from residual SP anomalies caused by simple geologic structures.

By defining the anomaly value at the origin V(0) and the anomaly values at two equidistant points from the origin on the profile (V(N) and V(N)), the problem of depth determination from residual SP anomalies has been transformed into finding a solution to a nonlinear equation for each shape factor.

The computed depths are plotted against the shape factors on a graph.

All points for each two equidistant points from the origin are connected by a continuous curve (depth curve).

The solution for the shape and depth of the buried structure is read at the common intersection of the depth curves.

The method is applied to theoretical data without and with (10 %) random noise and tested on a field example from Colorado.