Through-the-earth magnetic field propagation: modelling and experimental validation

In this paper we present a comparison between analytical and experimental results for a vertical magnetic dipole source. Free-space, dissipative infinite, semi-infinite and three-layered models for linear, homogeneous and isotropic horizontal mediums are considered. The exact analytical solutions for magnetic field expressions are reformulated in a suitable form and numerically solved. Moreover, a complex field experiment has been undertaken showing that, unexpectedly, the most complex model does not fit reality the best