Electromagnetic surveys with power transmission lines

Abstract

This disclosure describes a system and method for generating images by performing TEM surveys using pre-existing infrastructure such as transmission lines, or power lines, and naturally occurring transients such as lightning strikes or load switching. A relatively inexpensive sensor array can be installed on overhead power lines (e.g., electrical transmission or sub-transmission lines) which can detect transients in the overhead power lines. Transients in the overhead power lines can cause the power lines to emit pulses of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which propagate into the earth's subsurface. This sudden change in electromagnetic field in the subsurface can induce eddy currents, which in turn emit return EM radiation that can propagate back to the overhead power line and induce secondary voltage and current transients. The magnitude of these secondary transients, and their time delay from the original transient are influenced by the properties of the subsurface in which the eddy currents formed.