Telluric current Detector

[Randy Seden]

Anyone tried building a metal detector using Telluric currents? After reading some very good research papers on the subject and viewing some inovative patents, it sounds like the ultimate detector.
The present Magnetotelluric receivers used by geologists are very pricey-like $24,000.
The present configuration is for detecting down several hundred feet. I envision using a standard metal detector style loop and using around 10KHZ to 20 KHZ.

Any thoughts on this?

Randy Seden

[proscan]

Re: Telluric current Detector

Hello Randy,

Are you really referring to the magnetotelluric method or to the induced polarisation?

The first measures impedance (E/H quotient) the latter measures voltage caused by electromagnetic impulse.

Both methods are irrelevant for treasure hunting.

Or maybe I have missed something?

Any links to the materials you mentioned?

thanks,

proscan

[Randy Seden]

Re: Telluric current Detector

Sure,how about patent #4,945,310 for starters. Look not only at it, but the patent's that are referenced and also the later patents that were referenced to this one.
Also check out the following:
"The magnetotelluric response due to electrically dispersive orebodies"-1998 SEG Abstracts.
"8 hz Telluric and Magnetotelluric prospecting"-Geophysics,VOL. 37,NO 5 (October 1972), P. 862-878.
"Using Magnetotellurics for Mineral Exploration"-1998 SEG Expanded Abstracts.
"Atmospheric sources for audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) sounding"-GEOPHYSICS,VOL. 67,NO.2 (MARCH-APRIL 2002);P.448-458.

It would be a interesting experiment to wind a 2" coil and experiment with various size buried metals with the coil held on the ground like a typical metal detector.

Randy Seden

[Esteban]

Re: Telluric current Detector

Hello, about a phenomenom of electrical fence and the sensibility increasing in metal detectors see this message posted on then PI Classroom under this title:

MORE LRL stuff? NOOOOOoooo

Posted By: Sean Goddard (sle-qualcomm-1-0.sprintlink.net)
Date: Thursday, 28 March 2002, at 6:12 a.m.

*********

Here a "empty part" of the history of metal detector and a good way to the experimentation: During the I World War the Germans use a metal locator based on the current you mentioned for to clean the terrain of UXOs during the zapper works. The MD consist in a transmiter with electromechanical vibrator (buzzer) at low frequency. The signal go to the soil trough two electrodes. The receiver was a simple coil (many turns of wire) connected to 2,000 ohm earphones. The operator works at various meters of separation of the transmiter without any contact. The operator search the area with the coil and detect the UXOs because in the place is present the audio signal. The MD was insensitive to small objects but detect the UXOs. This information I obtain by a person who knew the German inventor in 1955-60. This German lived in Paraguay in Caacupe City and was speciallist in radio and telegraph repair during the IWW. His name was Haber. He was the electric energy provider in Caacupe and a very interesting person as inventor.

[Randy Seden]

Re: Telluric current Detector

That's actually a pretty clever Idea when you think of how very simple the equipment was! What you describe is a form of pulse induction and Magnetic Induced Polarization,kinda.
Would be a simple experiment.
But what I was proposing is using the existing earth E fields that are primarily a function of the non-stop lightning that goes on around the earth (something like at any given moment there are 200 lightning strikes hitting the earth). And there's the currents generated by flowing water and believe it or not the crashing of the ocean waves (these scientists were able to detect the oceans current 200 mi. inland!!). Oh and the solar wind contributes electricity.
Another go at it would be to play with Spectral Induced Polarization as it is affected by the grain size of the metals,hmm.

Randy Seden