Geophysical methods for imaging the subsurface. Course will focus on gravity, magnetic, resistivity, seismic refraction, and seismic reflection surveys. Applications discussed include exploration for hydrocarbons and characterization of the shallow subsurface for engineering/groundwater studies. Laboratory will include field experiments and computer modeling studies.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be assigned a research paper and additional homework.
Athena Title
Exploration Geophysics
Prerequisite
GEOL 4020-4020L and MATH 2200 and MATH 2200L
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to explain the principles behind using P-wave first motions to interpret the style of faulting for an earthquake. They will be able to synthesize the results of earthquake first motion patterns for a given tectonic region (e.g., Himalaya/Tibetan Plateau) to identify the stress fields responsible for seismic activity.
Students will design field experiments for the acquisition of seismic reflection and refraction data; and explain the basic processing steps used in constructing seismic images of the subsurface.
Students will Interpret seismic images to understand geologic structures and apply geophysical techniques to map the water table, assess engineering properties of the shallow subsurface, explore hydrocarbons, and analyze deep crust and mantle structures.
Students will be able to differentiate between seismic reflection and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), explain the principles of electrical resistivity imaging, and design field experiments using resistivity methods for subsurface investigations.
Students will be able to predict magnetic anomaly patterns based on latitude and subsurface structures and assess the effectiveness of seismic, GPR, resistivity, and magnetic surveys for specific geophysical targets.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction to Exploration Geophysics
Definition and Applications of Exploration Geophysics
Overview of Geophysical Methods
Physical Properties of Earth Materials Relevant to Geophysical Surveys
2. Seismic Methods
Seismic Wave Propagation
Types of Seismic Waves (P-waves, S-waves, Surface Waves)
Seismic Velocity and Rock Properties
Seismic Reflection
Principles of Seismic Reflection Imaging
Data Acquisition and Processing
Interpretation of Reflection Profiles for Structural and Stratigraphic Analysis
Seismic Refraction
Fundamentals and Applications in Engineering and Hydrogeology
Data Analysis and Interpretation
3. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Principles of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in Subsurface Materials
Comparison of GPR and Seismic Reflection Techniques
Applications in Environmental, Archaeological, and Engineering Studies
4. Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods
Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)
Principles of Electrical Resistivity
Data Collection and Processing
Applications in Groundwater Mapping and Environmental Studies
Electromagnetic (EM) Methods
Frequency and Time-Domain EM Surveys
Applications in Mineral Exploration and Environmental Geophysics
5. Magnetic Methods
Fundamentals of Earth's Magnetic Field
Magnetic Anomalies and Their Interpretation
Applications in Mineral and Tectonic Studies
6. Gravity Methods
Principles of Gravity Surveys
Gravity Anomalies and Subsurface Density Variations
Applications in Basin Analysis and Resource Exploration
7. Integrated Geophysical Interpretation
Combining Multiple Geophysical Techniques for Subsurface Characterization
Case Studies in Engineering, Hydrogeology, and Petroleum Exploration
8. Field Methods and Data Acquisition
Field Equipment and Survey Design for Seismic, GPR, Resistivity, and Magnetic Surveys
Hands-on Data Collection and Processing Techniques
9. Inverse Theory and Data Processing
Fundamentals of Geophysical Data Inversion
Noise Reduction and Signal Processing Techniques
Model Development and Uncertainty Analysis
10. Applications of Exploration Geophysics
Engineering Geophysics and Infrastructure Assessment
Hydrogeophysical Applications: Groundwater Exploration and Contamination Studies
Resource Exploration: Hydrocarbons and Minerals
Environmental and Archaeological Investigations
11. Emerging Trends in Geophysics
Advances in Machine Learning and AI for Geophysical Data Analysis
Remote Sensing and Geophysical Integration
Future Directions in Exploration Geophysics
