The Tridem vertical coplanar airborne electromagnetic system provides simultaneous in‐phase and quadrature information at frequencies of 500, 2000 and 8000 Hz. The system can map a broad range of earth conductors of simple geometry and provide quantitative estimates of their conductivities and dimensions. Computer programs have been developed to automatically interpret the six channels of Tridem data, plus the output of an accurate radar altimeter, to determine the depth of burial, conductivity and thickness of a near‐surface, flat‐lying conducting horizon. In limiting cases, the interpretation provides the conductance (conductivity‐thickness product) of a thin sheet (ranging from 100 mmhos to 100 mhos) or the conductivity of a homogeneous earth (ranging from 1 mmhos/m to 10 mhos/m). Two actual field examples are presented from Ontario, Canada; one relating to the mapping of overburden conditions (sand, clay and rock, etc) and the other to the mapping of the distribution of a buried lignite deposit. Other areas of potential application of the system to surficial materials would include groundwater mapping, permafrost investigations, and civil engineering studies for roads and pipelines.
The Development and Applications of the Semi-Airborne Electromagnetic System in China
