Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity survey pre-modeling tool
Geophysical tools have much to offer users in environmental, water resource, and geotechnical fields; however, techniques such as electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) are often oversold and/or overinterpreted due to a lack of understanding of the limitations of the techniques, such as the appropriate depth intervals or resolution of the methods. The relationship between ERI data and resistivity is nonlinear; therefore, these limitations depend on site conditions and survey design and are best assessed through forward and inverse modeling exercises prior to field investigations. In this approach, proposed field surveys are first numerically simulated given the expected electrical properties of the site, and the resulting hypothetical data are then analyzed using inverse models. Performing ERI forward/inverse modeling, however, requires substantial expertise and can take many hours to implement. We present a new spreadsheet-based tool, the Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity (SEER), which features a graphical user interface that allows users to manipulate a resistivity model and instantly view how that model would likely be interpreted by an ERI survey. The SEER tool is intended for use by those who wish to determine the value of including ERI to achieve project goals, and is designed to have broad utility in industry, teaching, and research.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | Scenario Evaluator for Electrical Resistivity survey pre-modeling tool |
| DOI | 10.1111/gwat.12522 |
| Authors | Neil Terry, Frederick D. Day-Lewis, Judith L. Robinson, Lee D. Slater, Keith J. Halford, Andrew Binley, John W. Lane, Dale D. Werkema |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Groundwater |
| Index ID | 70188116 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | OGW Branch of Geophysics |
Related Content
Frederick D. Day-Lewis (Former Employee)
Research Hydrologist, Hydrogeophysics Branch
John W Lane, Jr., Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Water/International
Senior Advisor for Water/International
Related Content
- Connect
Frederick D. Day-Lewis (Former Employee)
Research Hydrologist, Hydrogeophysics BranchJohn W Lane, Jr., Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Water/InternationalSenior Advisor for Water/InternationalEmailPhone