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Comment: 21:05 - 21:48 (00:43)

Source: Annenberg/CPB Resources - Earth Revealed - 13. Volcanism

Keywords: geophysicist, resistivity, conductivity, water, temperature

Our transcription: For example, geophysicists measure the resistance of the rocks to electrical currents shot into the ground.

The more easily electricity flows, the more likely the ground is to contain water because water is an excellent electrical conductor.

Measuring electrical conductivity not only provides a clue to the water content of subterranean deposits, it also helps the scientists study how the deposits have cooled because water is an important agent for transporting heat out of volcanic rocks.

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