A review on electrokinetically induced seismo-electrics, electro-seismics, and seismo-magnetics for Earth sciences

• Published in: Solid earth (Göttingen) Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 249 - 284
• Main Authors: Jouniaux, L, Zyserman, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gottingen Copernicus GmbH 12.02.2016; European Geosciences Union; Copernicus Publications
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Computational fluid dynamics; Conversion; Earth science; Earth sciences; Electric currents; Electric fields; Electric noise; Electrodes; Electrokinetics; Exploration; Fluids; Fracture mechanics; Fractured reservoirs; Fractures; Geophysical exploration; Geophysical methods; Geophysics; Low level; Mathematical models; Natural gas; Permeability; Physical properties; Physics; Porosity; Propagation; Signal processing; Velocity; seismoelectrics; electrokinetics; geophysical prospection; electroseismics
• ISSN: 1869-9529; 1869-9510; 1869-9529
• DOI: 10.5194/se-7-249-2016

The seismo-electromagnetic method (SEM) can be used for non-invasive subsurface exploration. It shows interesting results for detecting fluids such as water, oil, gas, CO2, or ice, and also help to better characterise the subsurface in terms of porosity, permeability, and fractures. However, the challenge of this method is the low level of the induced signals. We first describe SEM's theoretical background, and the role of some key parameters. We then detail recent studies on SEM, through theoretical and numerical developments, and through field and laboratory observations, to show that this method can bring advantages compared to classical geophysical methods.