Abstract
<jats:p>A comparative analysis of common midpoint (CMP) hodograph experimental data was performed. The data were obtained in the permafrost area in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) using the reflected electromagnetic waves method (REMWM). The aim of the study was to investigate the geocryological conditions of the subsurface and the structure of the upper part of the geological section. The obtained vertical distributions of electromagnetic signal velocity and electrical resistivity (virtual boreholes) demonstrated the stability and high resolution in determining the positions of subsurface reflecting boundaries. It is shown that applying the common depth point (CDP/CMP) methodology, followed by the determination of interval electromagnetic wave velocity, allows for a distinct vertical structuring of the upper section based on the electrical properties of rocks, enabling reliable qualitative interpretation of field data. Geophysical indicators of heterogeneous permafrost structure were identified on the obtained hodographs, along with two common intervals of reduced velocity values corresponding to subpermafrost groundwater at depths exceeding 340 m, which are characteristic of the study region. Virtual boreholes up to 500 m deep with a vertical resolution of 2–5 m, obtained using two types of receivers, are presented. The electrical resistivity estimates for all virtual boreholes fall within the expected range and are consistent with the geocryological conditions of the area. A petrophysical justification for the application of the REMWM in solving geophysical problems is provided, including the study of geological structure, permafrost investigations, and groundwater exploration. The problem of quantitative estimation of rock properties using REMWM data is discussed, particularly in the absence of a rigorous analytical solution for the propagation of ultra-wideband pulsed signals of finite duration in dispersive and attenuating media. The potential of integrating REMWM with other electrical prospecting methods is demonstrated, with REMWM serving as a relatively low-cost source of a structural electromagnetic framework that enhances the accuracy of inversion results.</jats:p>