Introduction to geophysical methods:
Techniques and targets
Reference:
Sharma p1-10
Reynolds p1-27
Applied geophysics Introduction
What do we mean by applied geophysics?
Applied geophysics Introduction
Remote sensing
Constraining the Earths sub-surface with
observations at the surface
Geophysical techniques measure physical phenomena:
Gravity
Magnetism
Elastic waves
Electricity
Electromagnetic waves
Which are sensitive to sub-surface physical properties:
Density
Magnetic susceptibility
Seismic wave velocity and density
Resistivity
Conductance/inductance/permitivity
Oh, and its relatively cheap
Applied geophysics Introduction
Active and passive
Passive
Measure naturally occurring phenomena
Gravity field
Magnetic field
Seismic arrivals - earthquakes
Active
Transmit a signal into the subsurface and record what comes back
Seismic arrival explosions
Electrical current
Electromagnetic waves
think
scale
Applied geophysics Introduction
Our scale
meters to kilometers
The techniques well talk about are used in the fields of
Environmental geophysics
Engineering geophysics
Exploration geophysics
Applied geophysics Introduction
Planning a survey
Applied geophysics Introduction
Target identification
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Magnetics
Main use: locating steel
drums and pipes
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Seismic reflection
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Seismic reflection
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Ground penetrating radar
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Ground penetrating radar
Applied geophysics Introduction
Exploration/development of
mineral deposits
Engineering site
investigations
Hydrogeological
investigations
Detection of subsurface
cavities
Magnetic
Susceptibility
Seismic refraction
Elastic moduli, density
Seismic reflection
Elastic moduli, density
Resistivity
Resistivity
Spontaneous potential
Potential differences
Induced polarization
Resistivity, capacitance
m
m
m
m
Electromagnetic (EM)
Conductance, inductance
EM - VLF
Conductance, inductance
EM Ground penetrating
radar
Permitivity, conductivity
Magneto-telluric
Resistivity
Forensic geophysics
Regional geologic study
(>100s km2)
Density
Archaeogeophysics
Hydrocarbon exploration
(coal, oil, gas)
Gravity
Location of buried metallic
objects
Dependent physical
property
Mapping leachate and
contamination plumes
Geophysical Method
Techniques and targets
P primary method; s secondary; m maybe sometimes
Applied geophysics Introduction
Profiling vs. mapping
What is the nature of the target?
2D or 3D?
Preliminary site evaluation
necessary?
Applied geophysics Introduction
Station spacing
Must ensure that
spacing is sufficient to
sample anticipated
signal
Applied geophysics Introduction
Limitations
Methods require contrast in physical properties
Nonuniqueness
Direct modeling: calculate the result of a specific structure
Inverse modeling: determine the causative structure from
observations usually ambiguous
e.g. small shallow body vs. large deep body
Resolution is determined by the wavelength of the signal
sesimic: km, radar: cm
Noise prevents recovery of low amplitude signal
e.g. wind, traffic, water pumps, power lines
Applied geophysics Introduction
Multiple methods
to improve uniqueness and cross-check interpretations
Applied geophysics Introduction
Introductions
Instructors:
Richard Allen
Rm 106 Weeks Hall; Tel: 262-7513; [email protected]
Dante Fratta
Rm 2258 Engineering Hall; Tel: 265-5644; [email protected]
Teaching Assistant:
Mei Xue
Rm 111 Weeks Hall; 262 9784; [email protected]
Office hours: by appointment
Applied geophysics Introduction
Sources
Course webpage: http://www.geology.wisc.edu/courses/g594/
- lecture notes, homeworks etc
Required text
Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 1st ed, Sharma, 1997
Other reference texts
An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics,
Reynolds, 1997.
Applied Geophysics, 2nd ed, Telford, Geldart, Sheriff, 1990
Exploration geophysics of the shallow subsurface, Burger, 1992.
Whole Earth Geophysics, Lillie, 1999.
An introduction to geophysical exploration, Keary, Brooks and Hill, 2002
Applied geophysics Introduction
Grading
50% - Homework: Bi-weekly problem sets
10% - Quiz 1
October 7th
15% - Quiz 2
November 23rd
25% - Final
December 17th 12:25pm
Announcements of any changes will be made at the lectures
and on the webpage.
Applied geophysics Introduction
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Topic schedule
Weeks 1-2:
Gravity Methods
Weeks 3-4:
Magnetic Methods
Weeks 5-6:
Resistivity Methods
Weeks 7-11:
Seismic Reflection and Refraction Methods
Weeks 11-13:
Electromagnetic Methods
Week 14:
Ground Penetrating Radar Methods
Week 15:
Borehole Methods
Applied geophysics Introduction
Additional material
Summaries and examples of
other methods
Applied geophysics Introduction
11
Examples
Gravity
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Seismic refraction
Applied geophysics Introduction
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Examples
Electrical resistivity
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Electrical resistivity
polluted sand
clean sand
polluted sand
Applied geophysics Introduction
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Examples
Electromagnetic surveying
Applied geophysics Introduction
Examples
Electromagnetic surveying
Applied geophysics Introduction
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