Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica

One of the priority areas of scientific research in Antarctica is the study of its deep structure. Most of the continent is covered with a thick ice sheet, so the main geoscientific data are acquired using geophysical methods, among which magnetotelluric (MT) ones have the greatest penetration depth...

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Main Authors: Tatyana V. Davydkina, Andrei A. Yankilevich, Anna N. Naumova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Saint-Petersburg Mining University 2025-07-01
Series:Записки Горного института
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Online Access:https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16335?setLocale=en_US
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author Tatyana V. Davydkina
Andrei A. Yankilevich
Anna N. Naumova
author_facet Tatyana V. Davydkina
Andrei A. Yankilevich
Anna N. Naumova
author_sort Tatyana V. Davydkina
collection DOAJ
description One of the priority areas of scientific research in Antarctica is the study of its deep structure. Most of the continent is covered with a thick ice sheet, so the main geoscientific data are acquired using geophysical methods, among which magnetotelluric (MT) ones have the greatest penetration depth and insignificant environmental impact. The possibility of acquiring high-quality MT data in the conditions of the sixth continent has long been questioned. The work is aimed at studying the specifics of magnetotelluric survey in Antarctica. The following tasks were set: to summarize the world experience of studying Antarctica using MT sounding methods; to identify factors that negatively affect the high-quality data acquisition; to determine methods for minimizing the influence of these factors. The article analyses geophysical studies conducted by the magnetotelluric sounding method in the Antarctic region from 1964 to the present. The application of the method is complicated by the following: extremely low temperature affects the drop in the batteries capacity, freezing of the non-polarizing electrodes solution, and changes in the strength properties of materials. Electromagnetic noise occurs during strong winds; proximity to the magnetotelluric field source can violate the plane wave principle on which the method is based. The ice sheet covering most of Antarctica does not allow acquiring optimal values of the contact resistance of the electrode grounding; the extended coastline distorts the acquired data. Studies of the influence of factors complicating the MT sounding method in the coastal and central parts of Antarctica made it possible to formulate recommendations for preparing equipment and adapting the work procedure, modifying the processing flow and a set of measures to ensure safety, the implementation of which will both allow safe performance of geophysical investigations and high-quality data acquisition.
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spelling doaj-art-dc625bf8e57441b59eb1a899686d6eda2025-08-20T02:37:17ZengSaint-Petersburg Mining UniversityЗаписки Горного института2411-33362541-94042025-07-01273809316335Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in AntarcticaTatyana V. Davydkina0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8950-5555Andrei A. Yankilevich1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6677-0812Anna N. Naumova2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1112-1679Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityEmpress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityEmpress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining UniversityOne of the priority areas of scientific research in Antarctica is the study of its deep structure. Most of the continent is covered with a thick ice sheet, so the main geoscientific data are acquired using geophysical methods, among which magnetotelluric (MT) ones have the greatest penetration depth and insignificant environmental impact. The possibility of acquiring high-quality MT data in the conditions of the sixth continent has long been questioned. The work is aimed at studying the specifics of magnetotelluric survey in Antarctica. The following tasks were set: to summarize the world experience of studying Antarctica using MT sounding methods; to identify factors that negatively affect the high-quality data acquisition; to determine methods for minimizing the influence of these factors. The article analyses geophysical studies conducted by the magnetotelluric sounding method in the Antarctic region from 1964 to the present. The application of the method is complicated by the following: extremely low temperature affects the drop in the batteries capacity, freezing of the non-polarizing electrodes solution, and changes in the strength properties of materials. Electromagnetic noise occurs during strong winds; proximity to the magnetotelluric field source can violate the plane wave principle on which the method is based. The ice sheet covering most of Antarctica does not allow acquiring optimal values of the contact resistance of the electrode grounding; the extended coastline distorts the acquired data. Studies of the influence of factors complicating the MT sounding method in the coastal and central parts of Antarctica made it possible to formulate recommendations for preparing equipment and adapting the work procedure, modifying the processing flow and a set of measures to ensure safety, the implementation of which will both allow safe performance of geophysical investigations and high-quality data acquisition.https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16335?setLocale=en_USgeophysical researchmagnetotelluric soundingelectrojetauroral zoneplane wavecontact resistanceice sheetantarctica
spellingShingle Tatyana V. Davydkina
Andrei A. Yankilevich
Anna N. Naumova
Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
Записки Горного института
geophysical research
magnetotelluric sounding
electrojet
auroral zone
plane wave
contact resistance
ice sheet
antarctica
title Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
title_full Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
title_fullStr Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
title_full_unstemmed Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
title_short Specifics of magnetotelluric studies in Antarctica
title_sort specifics of magnetotelluric studies in antarctica
topic geophysical research
magnetotelluric sounding
electrojet
auroral zone
plane wave
contact resistance
ice sheet
antarctica
url https://pmi.spmi.ru/pmi/article/view/16335?setLocale=en_US
work_keys_str_mv AT tatyanavdavydkina specificsofmagnetotelluricstudiesinantarctica
AT andreiayankilevich specificsofmagnetotelluricstudiesinantarctica
AT annannaumova specificsofmagnetotelluricstudiesinantarctica