Introduction Geophysics

1 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Grading Basis
The breakdown for the grading is as follows.
Final project: 20%
Mid-term exam: 20%
Quizzes: 10%
Practice: 10%???
Final exam: 40%
tquocthanh@[Link]

2 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Recommended textbooks:
 Reynolds, J., 2011, An introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN:978-0-471-485360.
 Rubin, Y. and Hubbard, S.S., 2005, Hydrogeophysics (Water Science and Technology Library), Springer, 523 pp, ISBN:
1402031017
Additional References:
 Butler, D.B., Editor, 2007, Near Surface Geophysics, Investigations in Geophysics #13, Society of Exploration Geophysicists,
Tulsa, OK.
 Reynolds, J. M., 1997, An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, John Wiley & Sons.
 Kelly, W.E. and Mares, S., 1993, Developments in water science 44: applied geophysics in hydrogeological and engineering
practice, Elsevier Science Publishers.
 Meju, M.A., 1994, Geophysical data analysis: understanding inverse problem theory and practice. SEG Course Notes Series,
Volume 6 (S.N. Domenico, Editor), Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
 Milson, J., 2003, Field Geophysics, Third Edition, The Geological Field Guide Series, John Wiley & Sons.
 Sharma, P. V., 1997, Environmental & engineering geophysics, Cambridge University Press.
 Sheriff, R. E., 1994, Encyclopedic dictionary of exploration geophysics, Third Edition,
 Geophysical Reference Series 1, Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
 Telford, W.M., Geldart, L.P. and Sheriff, R.E., 1990, Applied Geophysics, Second Edition, Cambridge University Press.
 Vogelsang, D., 1995, Environmental geophysics: a practical guide, Springer-Verlag. Ward, S. H., 1990, Geotechnical and
environmental geophysics, Volumes I-III, Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

3 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Geophysics?
• Apply the principles of physics to the study of the Earth
• Investigation of the interior of the Earth involves taking
measurements at or near the Earth´s surface that are influenced
by the internal distribution of physical properties. The analysis of
these measurements reveals information on the Earth´s interior

This could be the

discovery of the century.
Depending, of course, on
how far down it goes…

4 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Geophysical measurements:
tool to obtain an image of the subsurface
•Mapping of geological structure
•Detect objects

Source Receiver
S R S R

Measurement Processing Image

5 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 What is geophysics?
Geophysics is the application of physics to study of the solid
earth. It occupies an important position in earth sciences. It has
been taught principally in Earth sciences departments of
university. There is an obvious need for it to introduce to
engineers and archeologists much more widely than at present.
Geophysics developed from the disciplines of physics and geology
and has no sharp boundaries that distinguish it from either. The
use of physics to study the interior of the Earth, from land
surface to the inner core is known as solid earth Geophysics
6 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 What is geophysics?
Solid Earth Geophysics can be subdivided into Global
Geophysics or pure Geophysics and Applied Geophysics.

Global Geophysics is the study of the whole or substantial parts

of the planet. Geophysical methods may be applied to a wide
range of investigations from studies of the entire earth to
exploration of a localized region of the upper crust, such as plate
tectonics, heat flow and paleomagnetism.

7 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 What is geophysics?
This can be subdivided further into global geophysics, or
alternatively pure geophysics, which is the study of the whole or
substantial parts of the planet, and applied geophysics, which is
concerned with investigating the Earth’s crust and near-surface to
achieve a practical and, more often than not, an economic aim.
‘applied geophysics’ thus: Making and interpreting measurements of
physical properties of the Earth to determine sub-surface conditions,
usually with an economic objective, e.g. discovery of fuel or mineral
depositions.
‘Engineering geophysics’ can be described as being: The
application of geophysical methods to the investigation of sub-
surface materials and structures that are likely to have (significant)
engineering implications.

8 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 What is geophysics?
‘environmental geophysics’ The application of geophysical
methods to the investigation of near surface bio-physico-chemical
phenomena that are likely to have (significant) implications for the
management of the local environment.

Inter-relationships between the various subdisciplines of applied geophysics

9 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 What is geophysics?

Near-surface applied geophysics in the service of society

10 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 1 Hydrocarbon exploration (coal, gas,
oil)
2 Regional geological studies (over
areas of 100s of kmơ)
1. Gravity 3 Exploration/development of mineral
2. Magnetic deposits
3. Seismic refraction 4 Engineering/environmental site
4. Seismic reflection investigation
5. Resistivity 5 Hydrogeological investigations
6. Spontaneous potential 6 Detection of subsurface cavities
7. Induced polarization 7 Mapping of leachate and contaminant
8. MagneticResonance Sounding plumes
(MRS) 8 Location and definition of buried
9. Radiometrics metallic objects
9 Archaeogeophysics
10 Biogeophysics
11 Forensic geophysics
12 UneXploded Ordnance (UXO)
11 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh detection 2/10/2020
12 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
13 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
14 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 What is geophysics?
Geophysical methods respond to the physical properties of the
subsurface media (rocks, sediments, water, voids, etc.) and can be
classified into two distinct types.
Passive methods are those that detect variations within the natural
fields associated with the Earth, such as the gravitational and
magnetic fields.
Active methods, such as those used in exploration seismology, in
which artificially generated signals are transmitted into the ground,
which then modifies those signals in ways that are characteristic of
the materials through which they travel.

15 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 What is geophysics?
• Physics of the solid Earth
• Exploration of the structure and dynamic of the solid
Earth using physical methods
• Non-expensive and non-invasive methods
• Geophysical information is less discrete than
information from boreholes (and less expensive…).
But does not dispense with the need for drilling!
Geophysics can often optimize drilling requirements

16 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 What is geophysics?
Various scales...
• Global geophysics 103 to 109 m
• Exploration geophysics 103 to 106 m
• Environmental and engineering geophysics <102 m
Various sources...
• Natural field sources or artificially generated sources
• Natural field source methods are more simple to carry out but
give less resolved pictures than artifical source methods

17 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Aim of the course
• Complete overview on geophysical methods (potential,
diffusive and wave field methods)
• Understand the possibilities and limitations of geophysical
techniques
• Understand the basis in qualitative and quantitative
interpretation of geophysical data
• Give general basis for more advanced studies

18 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Investigating the Near Surface

Often use a combination of

geophysical methods to
remove interpretation
ambiguities

19 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Geophysical methods
Potential methods:
• Gravimetry methods
• Magnetic methods
• Electrical methods
Diffusive methods
• Electromagnetic methods
Wavefield methods
• Georadar
• Seismic methods

20 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Structure of a lecture
Each topic will cover:

1. Physical properties of rocks/geology

2. Basic equations for the method
3. Survey strategies and interpretation
4. Summary of the method: case histories and examples
5. Conclusions

Exercises will strengthen the explanations

21 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

22 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 Why is Geophysics Useful?
Some sweeping generalizations…
 Geology:
 Limited to the surface of the Earth
 Geologists must infer the 3rd dimension
 Boreholes are an exception, but are expensive and only give limited information (<13 km depth).

 Gives extremely detailed data about small areas.

 Provides information about the past.
 Geophysics
 Adds information about the 3rd dimension.
 Can truly “look into the Earth”
 Gives less detailed information about much larger areas.
 Results are often “non-unique”
 Usually cannot give information about the past
 Exceptions are radiometric dating and paleomagnetism.

 Can study non-tangible things…e.g. forces

24 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
How Do Geophysicists “Look at” Rocks?
 Geologists mainly look at rocks visually
 Map rock occurrence
 Visually identify mineral content
 Optical microscopes
 SEM
 “Direct” approach.

 Geophysicists “look at” rocks differently

 Measure properties such as density, resistivity, magnetic properties,
elastic moduli, radioactivity, etc…
 Use these properties to infer rock type / composition
 “Indirect” approach, but offers information that is not possible to
visually obtain.

25 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Geology vs. Geophysics
 At the end of the day geology and geophysics are both
useful when studying the Earth.
 Geophysics does not replace traditional geologic study; it
compliments it.
 The best geologists understand and appreciate
geophysics
 The best geophysicists understand and appreciate
geology

26 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Definition: model
A model is a simple and ideal view of a physical reality

27 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Operative physical properties

28 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Definition: contrast
To characterize different material using geophysics, a contrast
must exist (i.e. a difference in the physical properties)

29 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Environmental/engineering geophysics
• Hydrogeology
• Exploration of waste sites and pollutant
• Exploration for bulk mineral deposits (sand and gravel)
• Ground stability, permafrost, glaciology
• Archaeology
• Cavity detection, cable location etc
• Subsurface geological imaging for civil engineering
• Bulk modulus and shear modulus for civil engineering
• Alternative energy sources

30 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Environmental Geophysics

31 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Engineering Geophysics

32 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Noise in geophysical data acquisition

Coherent noise
Incoherent noise

33 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

The problem of ambiguity in geophysical interpretation
The former type of problem is known as a direct problem, the
latter as an inverse problem. Whereas direct problems are
theoretically capable of unambiguous solution, inverse problems
suffer from an inherent ambiguity, or non-uniqueness, in the
conclusions that can be drawn.

34 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Gravity

micro-gravimetry
in urban environment

35 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Magnetic

magnetic surveys on landfills

36 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 magnetic map

22

37 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Electrical methods

resistivity mapping in the Alps

38 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Electrical methods

apparent
resistivity map
AB=4m

39 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Electrical methods

resistivity imaging
on a rock glacier

40 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 inverted resistivity 2D profiles

41 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Quarry Hoa an

Location map of Quarry Hoa An

42 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 Location map of Quarry Hoa An

43 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Location map of Quarry Hoa An
44 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 Location map of Quarry Hoa An

45 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Layout of electric image line in the research area
46 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
Research Results

47 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

48 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

49 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

50 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

51 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Research Results

52 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

53 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

54 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

Research Results

55 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 3D resistivity imaging
on landfills

56 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Electromagnetic methods

EM survey tools

57 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 EM mapping on a
landfill

29

58 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Georadar

59 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 31

60 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

61 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
62 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
63 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
64 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
65 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
66 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 38

67 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Seismic methods

68 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

69 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
70 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 Sidescan sonar
data

(Example British Geological Survey - BGS)

71 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 4400 4500 4600 4700 4800 4900 5000 CMP
4.2 AWI-94042
N S
debris flow deposits
Comparison
4.4 between
airgun and
TWT [s]

4.6 Parasound

4.8

5.0

3350 slump deposit

depth [m]

3400
50 m

2 km

3450
72 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
73 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 Depth slice

74 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

 Geological interpretation

75 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020

76 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
77 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
78 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020
 Time slice through a 3D seismic data set

(from Kearey and Brooks, 1991)

79 Geophysics - Truong Quoc Thanh 2/10/2020