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Magnetotelluric Response Function Estimation Based on Hilbert–Huang Transform

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Abstract

Magnetotelluric (MT) data series are non-stationary random signals that do not meet the basic requirements of conventional methods based on the Fourier transform. To minimize the estimation bias errors brought about by the non-stationary characteristics of MT data, a new method, based on the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT), is proposed for the first time for estimating the MT response functions from a time series of electromagnetic field variations. With the HHT method, the amplitude of data series are expressed as a function of frequency and time and then response functions are estimated statistically from the time–frequency spectrum. Mathematical model and calculation processes are introduced and some simulated data are analyzed to verify the correctness of the method. Finally, the measured MT data is facilitated by applying the HHT to assess the ability of HHT method to quantify meaningful geologic information.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance and support of all those who contributed to our effort to enhance and develop the described system, and to express their appreciation for the financial support provided by the State 863 Project of China (Project No: 2006AA06Z10) and by Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No: 12JJ4034) and by the Fund of the 11th Five-year Plan for Key Construction Academic Subject (Optics) of Hunan Province.

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  1. Department of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde, 415000, China

    Jian-hua Cai

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  1. Jian-hua Cai
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Correspondence to Jian-hua Cai.

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Cai, Jh. Magnetotelluric Response Function Estimation Based on Hilbert–Huang Transform. Pure Appl. Geophys. 170, 1899–1911 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0620-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0620-3

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