ABSTRACT
Self Potential (SP) or Spontaneous Potential is a noninvasive, passive method to measure natural electrical potentials developed in the ground. It has been used to locate sulphide ores by measuring the electrochemical potentials and groundwater movement by electrokinetic or streaming potentials. It can provide useful information on the direction of movement of naturally and/or artificially recharged groundwater and that induced by pumping of water well. In hard rock, groundwater flow through preferential drainage paths of near surface fractured zones can be identified on the surface, particularly when flow velocity is increased by a well tapping the fractured zone. Since an electrical potential gradient is created by groundwater flow along the fractured zone, measurement helps establishing its orientation.
