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Electrical Conduction in Rocks

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Natural Electromagnetic Fields in Pure and Applied Geophysics

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Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the various ways that electrical currents are conducted through rocks, namely: (i) electronic conduction or conduction through metals; (ii) conduction through semiconductors; (iii) conduction through solid electrolytes; (iv) Ionic conduction or conduction through liquid electrolyte; and (v) conduction through dielectrics due to displacement current in mega- and gigahertz ranges. Also highlighted are dependences of electrical conductivity on: (i) porosity and permeability of rocks; (ii) conductivity of the pore fluid; (iii) size and shape of the mineral grains in the rocks; (iv) conductivity of the mineral grains; (v) temperature; (vi) pressure; (vii) frequency of the exciting current; (viii) ductility and degree of partial melt; (ix) oxygen fugacity; (x) volatiles; (xi) the Hall effect (xii); and the piezoelectric effect. Some experimental results are included, and Maxwell’s theory of electrical conduction is covered briefly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Howrah, West Bengal, India

    Kalyan Kumar Roy

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Roy, K.K. (2020). Electrical Conduction in Rocks. In: Natural Electromagnetic Fields in Pure and Applied Geophysics. Springer Geophysics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38097-7_2

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