The effect of discrete conductivity isotropy on electromagnetic surveys

The effect of discrete conductivity anisotropy on electromagnetic survey interpretation is examined with a numerical modeling study. Discretely anisotropic media are shown to mimic the characteristics of horizontally layered media, alter the apparent decay constants of conductors, and profoundly alter the amplitudes of the anomalous response. If unrecognized, the effects of discrete conductivity anisotropy on (mis)interpretation can be significant. The illustrations we present are representative of cases encountered in the Athabasca Basin in Canada.