Three-dimensional interpretation considering the static and the sea-effects of magnetotelluric data obtained in Jeju, Korea

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetotelluric (MT) surveys have been performed in Jeju, the largest volcanic island in Korea to figure out any possible structures or potential anomaly for remnant deep geothermal resources. Various approaches have been applied to interpret MT data observed in Jeju. MT dataset shows generally simple stratigraphy of four layers, though contains the severe static and the sea-effects. In our previous works, the induction vectors and 3D inversion results have commonly indicated the existence of a conductive anomaly in central parts of the island, beneath Mt. Halla. The 3D inversion dealt the static shifts as inversion parameters. The Jeju MT dataset, however, still contains the effect of conductive sea water surrounding the island.The sea-effect on MT impedance can be represented as a distortion tensor and excluded from the Jeju MT dataset by an iterative sea-effect correction. In this study, 3D inversion incorporating static shift parameterization was conducted using MT dataset corrected using 1D resistivity model obtained from the iterative scheme. Reasonably reconstructed images are obtained through the 3D inversion and using the MT dataset with sea-effect correction. The inversion result still shows the conductive anomaly in a similar depth. RMS misfits converged to a lower value than that of inversion using MT data before the sea-effect correction. From the fact, it is highly possible that the conductive anomaly is not an artifact but a real underground structure. Further investigation about the anomaly including exploration drilling is needed to see if it is from a fracture containing conductive sea water or related to the old volcanic activities.