Trans-dimensional Bayesian inversion of airborne electromagnetic data for 2D conductivity profiles
Rhys Hawkins 1 3 Ross C. Brodie 2 Malcolm Sambridge 1
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
1 Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
2 Geoscience Australia, Canberra, ACT 2609, Australia.
3 Corresponding author. Email: rhys.hawkins@anu.edu.au
Exploration Geophysics 49(2) 134-147 https://doi.org/10.1071/EG16139
Submitted: 11 November 2016 Accepted: 30 January 2017 Published: 24 February 2017
Abstract
This paper presents the application of a novel trans-dimensional sampling approach to a time domain airborne electromagnetic (AEM) inverse problem to solve for plausible conductivities of the subsurface. Geophysical inverse field problems, such as time domain AEM, are well known to have a large degree of non-uniqueness. Common least-squares optimisation approaches fail to take this into account and provide a single solution with linearised estimates of uncertainty that can result in overly optimistic appraisal of the conductivity of the subsurface. In this new non-linear approach, the spatial complexity of a 2D profile is controlled directly by the data. By examining an ensemble of proposed conductivity profiles it accommodates non-uniqueness and provides more robust estimates of uncertainties.
Key words: airborne electromagnetic inversion, Bayesian, non-uniqueness, trans-dimensional, uncertainty.
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