Electromagnetic and electrochemical response of geological conductors

Summary form only given. It is now realized that the Earth´s crustal layers are not simple lossy dielectrics with fixed parameters. In fact, the effective permittivities of actual rocks and soils may exhibit values that are 10000 times free space at sufficiently low frequencies (e.g. less than 1000 Hz). Such effects, although less dramatic, extend all the way up to microwaves. Such highly dispersive phenomena greatly complicate quantitative analyses for transient electromagnetic propagation within the Earth. Various applications occur in mine communications, geophysical exploration, well logging, ground-penetrating radar, and ELF/VLF antenna transmitter design.<>