A particle swarm optimization method for interpreting self-potential anomalies

This paper describes the use of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method for interpreting observed self-potential anomalies measured along a profile. First, the technique applies the second moving average to the observed self-potential data in order to eradicate the possible influence of the regional anomaly (up to the third-order polynomial effect) via the filter of consecutive window lengths (s-values) and to calculate the residual anomaly. Following that, the PSO method is applied to the residual response to infer the source parameters: amplitude coefficient (K), depth (z), polarization angle (θ) and the shape factor (q) of the underlying buried target. The technique has been applied to three different theoretical and two field examples from the USA and Turkey. Comparisons have shown that the source parameters retrieved from the technique described here are in good agreement with the available geologic and geophysical information.