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Airborne Eledromagnetics — Frequently Asked Questions <br /> What is "airborne electromagnetics"? Is airborne electromagnetics a safe technology? <br /> Airborne electromagnetics(AEM)is an airborne geophysical AEM is safely used throughout the world in mineral exploration <br /> technology developed for use in the mining industry to locate and and the evaluation of land features and natural resources.The <br /> map bodies of ore. It works by measuring variations in the electrical electromagnetic field generated by this system is considerably <br /> conductivity of the ground. In so doing,AEM is able to detect and weaker than the fields generated by natural and man-made <br /> map geological changes and variations beneath the earth's surface. sources surrounding us every day.All operations must pass strict <br /> government aviation regulations,and the <br /> o.��close it€Mork' aircraft are flown by specialists who have <br /> j many decades of experience collecting data <br /> Electrical conductivity in a wide variety of flying environments. <br /> is measured using a i The helicopter stays high enough that there <br /> helicopter carrying is no rotor wash (wind)felt on the ground. <br /> a torpedo-shaped 1It also keeps well above power lines and <br /> "bird"that houses other obstacles.The survey bird is securely <br /> an electromagnetic _. fastened with a stainless-steel wire rope <br /> transmitter andI and a backup Kevlar safety rope. <br /> receiver system.The s� <br /> system transmits an Does it affect livestock? <br /> electromagnetic field <br /> (radio waves)into The technology causes no ill effects to <br /> the ground and then livestock and horses,but because low- <br /> measures the response flying helicopters are involved,there is the <br /> that returns from the potential for livestock to be alarmed. <br /> ground. The strength <br /> of the response changes Does it affect electronic or <br /> as the geology of the communications equipment? <br /> earth changes. The data <br /> collected are processed Because the electromagnetic field generated <br /> into mapped images ` . by the equipment is weak,electronic or <br /> that give geophysicists t� r communications equipment is not adversely <br /> a composition model of affected. ■ <br /> the earth's subsurface. <br /> What is the survey <br /> procedure? ; . <br /> The electronic sensors ,mac <br /> are carried in a 30 foot As the helicopter flies over the levees with the survey <br /> z ; x <br /> long tube(or"bird") r "bird suspended below,electromagnetic equipment <br /> ' records data about subsurface soil conditions. <br /> that weighs about 600 <br /> pounds.The bird is <br /> suspended about 100 <br /> feet below the helicopter,which flies about 200 feet above the <br /> ground.The helicopter travels about 75 miles per hour in parallel <br /> lines across the area to be mapped.Based at nearby airfields,the <br /> helicopter typically departs in the morning and surveys during much For further information,please contact: <br /> of the day,weather and flying conditions permitting.it may land Elizabeth Scott <br /> during the day to refuel,but it does not fly at night. DWR Public Affairs <br /> (916)835-5344 <br /> ,. <br /> DEPARTMENT OF - <br />