Mechanistic study of multi-frequency wave-induced magnetic fields in stratified deep-shallow marine environments

ZhenYang LU, Jian LIU, RuYun ZHANG, BaoJun WEI

Prog Geophy ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4) : 1932-1942.

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Prog Geophy ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4) : 1932-1942. DOI: 10.6038/pg2026JJ0211

Mechanistic study of multi-frequency wave-induced magnetic fields in stratified deep-shallow marine environments

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Abstract

Seawater, being a highly conductive medium, generates induced electromagnetic fields in space when moving within the geomagnetic field. This phenomenon increases the difficulty of electromagnetic exploration for offshore oil, gas, and mineral resources. To quantitatively calculate the distribution of the wave-induced magnetic field generated by ocean waves at different sea depths, this study establishes a three-layer model (air layer, seawater layer, and seabed layer) based on marine electromagnetic theory, describing the wave motion system. By applying the boundary condition that the normal component of the magnetic field is continuous across interfaces, a model for the monochromatic wave-induced magnetic field in an ocean of arbitrary finite depth is derived. When the total ocean depth approaches infinity, the calculated results from this model coincide with those of Weaver's infinite-depth ocean wave model, demonstrating the model's validity. Utilizing this validated model, the influence of total ocean depth on the monochromatic wave-induced magnetic field is analyzed. Furthermore, building upon the monochromatic wave model, a wave spectrum is introduced to investigate polychromatic wave-induced magnetic fields. The distribution characteristics of these polychromatic fields, possessing identical total energy but varying frequency ranges, are computed. The results indicate that: (1) For monochromatic waves at different total ocean depths, the wave-induced magnetic field exhibits a maximum value as a function of depth within the water column, and the variation of the field with wave period is significantly affected by the total ocean depth; (2) The distribution characteristics of polychromatic wave-induced magnetic fields across different total ocean depths are similar to those of monochromatic waves but are markedly influenced by the frequency range of the wave spectrum. The modeling approach proposed in this study provides an effective means for predicting the distribution of wave-induced magnetic fields in oceans of varying total depths. This offers a reliable theoretical basis for advancing marine electromagnetic detection technology and enhancing the precision of marine resource exploration.

Key words

Induced magnetic field of ocean waves / Weaver model / Potential function of ocean waves / Ocean wave spectrum

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ZhenYang LU , Jian LIU , RuYun ZHANG , et al. Mechanistic study of multi-frequency wave-induced magnetic fields in stratified deep-shallow marine environments[J]. Progress in Geophysics. 2026, 41(4): 1932-1942 https://doi.org/10.6038/pg2026JJ0211

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感谢课题组成员在实验设计与数据分析中的专业贡献,感谢审稿专家提出的宝贵修改意见.

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