Abstract: Based on analyzing the excitation distribution characteristics of the bipolar source in a homogeneous half?space electromag?netic field and discussing the correlation between the transmit?receive distance and the maximum depth of prospecting, the authors hold that CSAMT characterized by small transmit?receive distance, long bipolar source and short potential electrodes can be applied to geo?logical exploration in the shallow layer of a strong noisy?level environment, and has such merits as high signal?to?noise and uniform dis?tribution of electromagnetic field along the line direction. This paper briefly describes fieldwork and data?processing methods of CSAMT, and illustrates typical experimental curves under man?made interferences, controlled tests on the dipole?dipole resistivity sounding and applied cases in shallow geophysical exploration. The inversion results are similar in controlled tests, but CSAMT has higher resolution and stronger anti?interference capability. Interpretations of applied cases match the drilling verification, indicating that CSAMT with small and medium?sized transmit?receive distance array has practical value and application prospect in the shallow geo?physical exploration.