AbstractAn attempt to resolve non‐uniqueness in the interpretation of transient electromagnetic (TEM) sounding data using measured data alone is made. It is shown in the various examples studied that sufficiently early time measurements can be the determining factor in reducing the ambiguity caused by model equivalence. The early delay times thus play a dual role in transient soundings: they are responsible for resolving shallow structures and they may eliminate the ambiguity in the interpretation of geoelectric parameters of deeper targets. This is illustrated by the results of a follow‐up TEM survey at the Dead Sea coast of Israel where the use of supplementary early time measurements allowed non‐uniqueness in the determination of the depth to fresh/saline groundwater interface to be res