Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-405
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-405
19 Feb 2025
 | 19 Feb 2025

Brief communication: Use of lightweight and low-cost steel net electrodes for electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys performed on coarse-blocky surface environments

Mirko Pavoni, Luca Peruzzo, Jacopo Boaga, Alberto Carrera, Ilaria Barone, and Alexander Bast

Abstract. ERT is a widely used geophysical technique for characterizing various mountainous environments where land surfaces consist of coarse blocks and debris, such as landslide deposits or rock glaciers. In this situation, installing the common steel spike electrodes is both challenging and time-consuming, and achieving galvanic contact between the electrodes and the surface is difficult. In this work, we have successfully tested an alternative electrode that is tougher, lighter and cheaper than the recently proposed conductive textile electrode. A thin stainless-steel net and sponges are used to create small bags that can be easily inserted between the blocks, and then removed.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Oct 2025
Brief communication: Use of lightweight and low-cost steel net electrodes for electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys performed on coarse-blocky surface environments
Mirko Pavoni, Luca Peruzzo, Jacopo Boaga, Alberto Carrera, Ilaria Barone, and Alexander Bast
The Cryosphere, 19, 4141–4148, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4141-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4141-2025, 2025
Short summary
Mirko Pavoni, Luca Peruzzo, Jacopo Boaga, Alberto Carrera, Ilaria Barone, and Alexander Bast

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-405', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Mirko Pavoni, 23 May 2025
      • AC3: 'Reply on AC1', Mirko Pavoni, 14 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-405', Anonymous Referee #2, 26 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Mirko Pavoni, 14 Jun 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-405', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Mirko Pavoni, 23 May 2025
      • AC3: 'Reply on AC1', Mirko Pavoni, 14 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-405', Anonymous Referee #2, 26 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Mirko Pavoni, 14 Jun 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (further review by editor and referees) (18 Jun 2025) by Andreas Hördt
AR by Mirko Pavoni on behalf of the Authors (07 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (10 Jul 2025) by Andreas Hördt
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (15 Jul 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (28 Jul 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (31 Jul 2025) by Andreas Hördt
AR by Mirko Pavoni on behalf of the Authors (04 Aug 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (08 Aug 2025) by Andreas Hördt
AR by Mirko Pavoni on behalf of the Authors (08 Aug 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (11 Aug 2025) by Andreas Hördt
AR by Mirko Pavoni on behalf of the Authors (11 Aug 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

02 Oct 2025
Brief communication: Use of lightweight and low-cost steel net electrodes for electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys performed on coarse-blocky surface environments
Mirko Pavoni, Luca Peruzzo, Jacopo Boaga, Alberto Carrera, Ilaria Barone, and Alexander Bast
The Cryosphere, 19, 4141–4148, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4141-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4141-2025, 2025
Short summary
Mirko Pavoni, Luca Peruzzo, Jacopo Boaga, Alberto Carrera, Ilaria Barone, and Alexander Bast
Mirko Pavoni, Luca Peruzzo, Jacopo Boaga, Alberto Carrera, Ilaria Barone, and Alexander Bast

Viewed

Total article views: 830 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
734 74 22 830 30 40
  • HTML: 734
  • PDF: 74
  • XML: 22
  • Total: 830
  • BibTeX: 30
  • EndNote: 40
Views and downloads (calculated since 19 Feb 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 19 Feb 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 823 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 823 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 02 Oct 2025
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
We propose an alternative electrode to perform Electrical Resistivity Tomography measurements in coarse blocky environments, such as rock glaciers. Compared to the traditional steel spike electrodes, which need to be hammered between the blocks, the proposed steel-net electrodes can be easily pushed between the builders by hand and then removed. Furthermore, the steel-net electrode weighs one-sixth of the steel spike, and is, therefore, easier to carry in challenging mountain environments.
Share