GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS In electromagnetic methods, electrical
conductivity, magmatic permeability and
Geophysical investigations are dielectric constant of subsurface bodies are
techniques used to investigate the subsurface the relevant properties.
of the Earth using physical principles.
Important categories of Electrical methods
Importance of Geophysical Investigations
Electrical resistivity methods
Non-destructive and eco-friendly. The electrical resistivity method
Helps avoid trial-and-error in fieldwork. in geophysics measures how well an
Saves time, money, and effort electrical current can flow through the
Useful in civil engineering, geology, subsurface, providing information
mining, and environmental studies. about the sub surface’s structure,
Aids in disaster risk assessment. composition, and water content. It
Classification of Geophysical Methods works by injecting an electrical current
into the ground and measuring the
Gravity method resulting voltage.
Magnetic method
Electrical method Electromagnetic methods
Seismic method Electromagnetic (EM)
Radiometric method methods detect the electrical
Direct Penetration Method properties of the subsurface by
inducing EM energy within the
subsurface and measuring the
Gravity Method response of earth materials. Generally,
EM geophysical instruments output a
Gravity method represent a set of
time-varying electric current into its
geophysical methods which make use of the
transmitter coil, or loop.
natural gravity field of the earth.
The main controlling physical property Self-potential methods
in gravity method is changes in rock density The self-potential (SP) method
beneath the surface cause small variations in is a passive geophysical technique
the gravitational field, which the gravity that measures naturally occurring
method detects. electrical potentials in the
subsurface. It doesn't require injecting
Magnetic Method electrical current like other
Geophysical technique that detects methods; instead, it passively detects
and maps changes in the Earth's magnetic spontaneous voltage
field resulting from the presence of magnetic differences. These differences are
minerals, primarily magnetite (Fe₃O₄), in generated by various subsurface
subsurface rocks. processes, including groundwater flow
and electrochemical reactions.
The main controlling physical property
in magnetic method is magnetic susceptibility. Seismic Method
The seismic method involves
The magnetic methods are based on
generating seismic waves and measuring
the fact that the magnetic bodies present in
how they travel through different layers of the
the earth’s surface contribute to the magnetic
Earth. By analyzing the travel time and
field of the earth.
behavior of these waves, we can infer the
Electrical Method properties of the subsurface materials.
Electrical method are numerous and Types of Seismic Method
more versatile, They are more popular Seismic Refraction Method
because they are successful in dealing with a Refraction measures waves
variety of problems like groundwater studies, bending through layers, often used in
subsurface structure, and many others. shallow investigations.
Portable Computer – for data
Seismic Reflection Method analysis and mapping
Reflection is widely used in
deep geological exploration, especially Applications
in oil and gas. Mineral Exploration – Locating
uranium, thorium, and potassium
Advantages: deposits.
Include high accuracy and the ability to Geological Mapping – Distinguishing
investigate deep underground. rock types.
Environmental Studies – Detecting
Limitations: radioactive contamination.
It is expensive, and data interpretation Archaeology – Identifying buried
requires expertise. features based on soil composition.
Materials and Equipment used in seismic Direct Penetration Method
method These methods involve driving,
Seismic Source – Creates seismic pushing, or boring into the ground to measure
waves (e.g., sledgehammer, physical properties or collect samples. They
explosives, Vibroseis) are commonly used in engineering
Geophones – Detect ground geophysics, soil investigations, and
vibrations and convert them into environmental studies.
electrical signals
Geophone Amplifier – Enhances Common Direct Penetration Method
weak signals from geophones
Cone Penetration Test (CPT)
Galvanometer – Measures small
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
electrical currents from seismic signals
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP)
Seismograph / Data Recorder –
Records and stores seismic data Cone Penetration Test (CPT)
Cables and Connectors – Transmit
signals from geophones to the A cone-shaped probe is pushed into
recorder the ground at a constant rate.
GPS / Surveying Instruments – It measures tip resistance, sleeve
Ensure accurate positioning of friction, and sometimes pore water
geophones and sources pressure.
Data Processing Software – Useful for determining soil stratigraphy
Analyzes the collected seismic data and estimating soil strength.
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
Radiometric Method A split-barrel sampler is driven into the
The radiometric method is a soil using a hammer.
geophysical technique that measures the The number of blows required to drive
natural gamma radiation emitted by rocks and the sampler a certain depth (usually 30
soils to identify and map the concentration of cm) is recorded (this is the "N-value").
radioactive elements like uranium (U), Often used in foundation design and
thorium (Th), and potassium (K). geotechnical analysis.
Materials and Equipment used in Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP)
radiometric method A manual or mechanized tool that
Scintillation Counter or Gamma-Ray drives a cone into the soil by repeated
Spectrometer – detects gamma drops of a weight.
radiation Used for shallow soil strength
Data Logger – records radiation assessments, especially in road
readings construction.
GPS Unit – for precise location Note: Please pag study og ayo para maka answer, PAG STUDY, PAG STUDY GYUD,
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