CSAMT Survey Near Route 66

In February 2026, AV Geophysics assisted with commissioning a CSAMT field campaign just south of the former Route 66 in Arizona. It was a short getaway from still snowy Canada into a completely different setting — surrounded by dry terrain and cactuses.

The trip was short, but quite busy. Due to shipping delays — likely weather-related in the northern states — the actual hands-on training was limited to two days instead of three. During that time, the field crew went through transmitter dipole setup, transmitter operation, data acquisition, and basic QC. A few minor equipment adjustments were also required to get everything operating as expected.

The survey area itself came with its own challenges. A high-tension power line was running right through the middle of the site, along with some steep cliffs and generally dry, rocky ground conditions.

After I returned to Canada, I received a call from the crew saying there was no signal on the transmitter. That was the moment to introduce one of the classic field realities — rodents, probably the best enemies of ground EM surveys.

Other than that, the crew completed the campaign successfully — congratulations on getting the first CSAMT project under your belt.

Even short field campaigns can involve a mix of logistics, environmental challenges, and unexpected issues. Proper training and the ability to troubleshoot remotely help keep the project on track and ensure a successful outcome.