Topic: Very Low Frequency (VLF) Electromagnetic Method

6.0Advantages and Disadvantages of VLF Electromagnetic Method

VLF EM technique is well established for rapid geological mapping and
detection of buried conductive targets. As mentioned, this method uses the science
of electromagnetic waves. With that being said, the VLF Electromagnetic Method
has its own pros and cons.
Table 4.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of VLF Electromagnetic Method
Advantages

Disadvantages

Sensitive to ground water quality or the

conductivity in a porous medium.

VLF Electromagnetic methods has

limited depth depending upon the
resistivity of the rocks.

VLF wave frequencies can propagate

efficiently over long distance as the
signal can be used for surveying
distances of up to several thousand
kilometres from the transmitter.

Shows response due to shallow bodies

only, indicating that penetration depth is
less compared to other methods.
Other methods: E.g. Slingram methods.

VLFElectromagnetic methods are

quicker and easier to operate as a
reconnaissance tool in identifying
vertical/inclined conductive/resistive
targets at shallow depth.

Affected by cultural noise.

Undesirable energy, or noise generated
by human activity, such as automobile
traffic that interferes with seismic
surveying or electrical power lines or the
steel in pipelines that can adversely
affect electromagnetic methods.
(Schlumberger., n.d.)

Field equipment are small and light,

which can be operated by a single
individual.

The VLF Electromagnetic method is

affected by the topography of the site of
investigation.

Despite having some disadvantages to a certain extent, the VLF

Electromagnetic method still proves to be an effective tool for mapping conductive
fault and fracture zones, especially water bearing fracture zones in hard rock
environment(GEOVision, 2010).

References
Bernard, J. a. (1991). Groundwater exploration in fissured media with electrical
and VLE methods, Geoexploration. In Surveys in Geophysics (pp. 27, 8191).
GEOVision, I. (2010). Electronic Methods. Retrieved from Geovision geophysical
services.
Reynolds, J. M. (1998). An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics.
In J. M. Reynolds.
Schlumberger., L. (n.d.). 2016 Schlumberger Limited. Retrieved from Oilfield
Glossary: http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/c/cultural_noise.aspx

Abstract
Very Low Frequency (VLF) Electromagnetic Method