What is Magnetotellurics?

Magnetotellurics is a natural-source electromagnetic sounding method that determines the electrical resistivity structure both vertically and laterally.

Sources are lightning activity at high frequencies (>8 Hz), and solar interactions with the Earth’s magnetosphere at low frequencies (<8 Hz).

Fluctuations in time of the orthogonal horizontal electric and magnetic fields are processed into the frequency domain and MT responses derived. Those responses are analysed for dimensionality, directionality and internal consistency, and are subsequently modelled using 1D, 2D or 3D inversion approaches as appropriate.

The Magnetotelluric Method: A comprehensive textbook, co-edited by two CMTS Directors (Alan Chave & Alan Jones), that covers all aspects of MT is available from Cambridge University Press