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The electrical geophysical methods are used to determine the electrical resistivity of the earth's subsurface. Thus, electrical methods are employed for those applications in which a knowledge of resistivity or the resistivity distribution will solve or shed light on the problem at hand. The resolution, depth, and areal extent of investigation are functions of the particular electrical method employed. Once resistivity data have been acquired, the resistivity distribution of the subsurface can be interpreted in terms of soil characteristics and/or rock type and geological structure. Resistivity data are usually integrated with other geophysical results and with surface and subsurface geological data to arrive at an interpretation.

The electrical [[geophysical methods]] are used to determine the electrical resistivity of the earth's subsurface. Thus, electrical methods are employed for those applications in which a knowledge of resistivity or the resistivity distribution will solve or shed light on the problem at hand. The resolution, depth, and areal extent of investigation are functions of the particular electrical method employed. Once resistivity data have been acquired, the resistivity distribution of the subsurface can be interpreted in terms of soil characteristics and/or rock type and geological structure. Resistivity data are usually integrated with other geophysical results and with surface and subsurface geological data to arrive at an interpretation.

Electrical methods can be broadly classified into two groups: those using a controlled (human-generated) energy source and those using naturally occurring electrical or electromagnetic energy as a source. The controlled source methods are most commonly used for shallow investigations, from characterizing surficial materials to investigating resistivities down to depths as great as 1 to [[length::2 km]], although greater depths of investigation are possible with some techniques and under some conditions. The natural source methods are applicable from depths of tens of meters to great depths well beyond those of interest to hydrocarbon development.

Electrical methods can be broadly classified into two groups: those using a controlled (human-generated) energy source and those using naturally occurring electrical or electromagnetic energy as a source. The controlled source methods are most commonly used for shallow investigations, from characterizing surficial materials to investigating resistivities down to depths as great as 1 to [[length::2 km]], although greater depths of investigation are possible with some techniques and under some conditions. The natural source methods are applicable from depths of tens of meters to great depths well beyond those of interest to hydrocarbon development.