Analytical investigations of the magnetotelluric directionality estimation in 1-D anisotropic layered media

Inferring geoelectric dimensionality (1D, 2D or 3D) and directionality (strike directions) from the impedance tensor is a basic procedure in magnetotelluric data processing. Given that electrical anisotropy is increasingly recognized in observations, it is valuable to understand the imprint of anisotropy in these analyses. In this paper, we analytically investigate the estimation of strike directions based on rotational invariants in 1D anisotropic layered media. We first show that if anisotropy axes are identical in all anisotropic layers, the estimated strike coincides with that direction. We then derive an analytical formula of the strike angle at long periods for general anisotropic layers with an isotropic basement. This formula shows a clear physical interpretation that the strike angle points where the conductance integrated along depth takes a maximum value.