Study of the anisotropy of frozen rocks at the Khanovei test site (Komi Republic) based on the data of controlled source radio-magnetotelluric soundings and electrical resistivity tomography

Abstract

The results of a joint inversion of the data of controlled source radio-magnetotelluric soundings (CSRMT) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), obtained at the Khanovei permafrost test site near Vorkuta, are presented. The geological section in the work area is composed of Quaternary fluvio-glacial, lacustrine-glacial and alluvial deposits up to 60 m thick, overlying a sequence of sandstones, siltstones and mudstones of Permian age. The CSRMT survey was carried out using a grounded electrical line 480 m long as a source in the frequency range 1–1000 kHz. The results of various inversion options were compared: 1) isotropic one-dimensional (1D) inversion of CSRMT data; 2) isotropic separate two-dimensional (2D) inversion of CSRMT and ERT data; 3) joint anisotropic 1D inversion of CSRMT and ERT data. Based on the results of a joint anisotropic inversion of CSRMT data in the far and intermediate zones of the source and ERT data, a vertical anisotropy associated with horizontal layering of frozen Quaternary clay deposits in the depth range from 2 to 15–20 m was revealed and its parameters (horizontal and vertical resistivity and anisotropy coefficient) were determined. On the geoelectric section obtained from the ERT data, the thickness of the anisotropic layer of frozen clayey deposits is significantly overestimated. The middle part of the section, in the depth range from 15–20 to 60–70 m, is characterized by relatively low resistivity values (tens of ohmmeters). This is consistent with the results of previous studies, which established that the upper part of the Permian sediments is in a thawed state and is fractured and water-saturated. A high-resistivity layer (hundreds of ohmmeters) was revealed at the base of the geoelecric section according to CSRMT data. A significant increase in the resistivity of Permian rocks with depth is confirmed by the data of vertical electrical soundings previously performed in the Khanovey area.