Least-squares deconvolution of apparent resistivity pseudosections

Abstract A fast technique for the inversion of data from resistivity tomography surveys has been developed. This technique is based on the smoothness-constrained, least-squares method, and it produces a 2-D subsurface model that is free of distortions in the apparent resistivity pseudosection caused by the electrode array geometry used. A homogeneous earth model is used as the starting model for which the apparent resistivity partial derivative values can be calculated analytically. Tests with a variety of models and data from field surveys show that this technique is insensitive to random noise, provided a sufficiently large damping factor is used, and that it can resolve structures that cause overlapping anomalies in the pseudosection. On a 33 MHz 80486DX microcomputer, it takes about 5 s to process a single data set.