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Phys 416

This document contains information about a university examination for Physics 416: Applied Geophysics for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education Science students. [1] The exam contains 5 questions and will take place on Friday, December 14th, 2018 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. [2] Question 1 has 10 parts asking students to define terms, explain seismic wave properties and techniques, and perform calculations related to reflection and refraction seismology. [3] Questions 2 through 5 involve additional concepts in geophysics like refraction, resistivity surveying, and using travel time data to determine subsurface layering and depths.

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Joram Muiruri
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66 views4 pages

Phys 416

This document contains information about a university examination for Physics 416: Applied Geophysics for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education Science students. [1] The exam contains 5 questions and will take place on Friday, December 14th, 2018 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. [2] Question 1 has 10 parts asking students to define terms, explain seismic wave properties and techniques, and perform calculations related to reflection and refraction seismology. [3] Questions 2 through 5 involve additional concepts in geophysics like refraction, resistivity surveying, and using travel time data to determine subsurface layering and depths.

Uploaded by

Joram Muiruri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYS 416

CHUKA UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS

FOURTH YEAR EXAMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGEE IN BACHELOR OF


SCIECE AND BACHELOR OF EDUCATION SCIENCE

PHYS 416: APPLIED GEOPHYSICS

STREAMS: B.Sc & BED (SC) TIME: 2 HOURS

DAY/DATE: FRIDAY 14/12/2018 11.30 A.M - 1.30 P.M.

INSTRUCTIONS
 Answer Question ONE and any other TWO Questions.

QUESTION ONE: [30 MARKS]


1) a) Define the following [3 Marks]
i) Young’s modulus
ii) Bulk modulus
iii) Acoustic impedance

b) State and explain two types of surface waves [4 Marks]

c) Explain how acoustic impedance affects transmission of seismic waves in rock layers
[2 Marks]

d) Compression ray travels with a velocity of 2.1×103 m/s in a rock material of density 267
kg/m3 and at a velocity 1.6×103 in a rock layer of density 295 kg/m3, calculate its reflection
coefficient [5 Marks]

e) State two types of seismic survey [2 Marks]

f) Explain briefly the principle behind electrical methods in geophysical survey [4 Marks]

g) With the aid of a diagram explain the Wenner configuration [3 Marks]

h) State the limitations of the resistivity method [3 Marks]

i) Explain the factors affecting wave amplitude at detection station [2 Marks]

j) Describe the occurrence of critical refraction [2 Marks]

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PHYS 416

QUESTION TWO: [20 MARKS]


2 a) An incident P-wave strikes an interface between two different rock types. The upper layer
has a compression wave velocity of 1200 m/s. The lower layer has a compression wave velocity
of 3800 m/s and a shear wave velocity of 1900 m/s. The incident angle is 180. Calculate the angle
of refraction for the P and S waves. [7 Marks]

b) What is the crossover distance for direct andcritically refracted rays in the case of a
horizontalinterface at a depth of 200m separating a toplayer of velocity 3.0kms-1 from a lower
layer ofvelocity 5.0kms-1? [6 Marks]

c) With the aid of a diagram show that the travel time for reflected ray is given [7Marks]
1
𝑥 2 + 4𝑧 2 2
𝑡=
𝑣1

QUESTION THREE: [20 MARKS]


3 a) What is a hidden layer [2 Marks]

b) The following dataset was obtained from a reversed seismic refraction line 275 m long. The
survey was carried out in a level area of alluvial cover to determine depths to the underlying
bedrock surface.

Offset (m) Travel time (ms)


Forward direction
12.5 6.0
25 12.5
37.5 19.0
50.0 25.0
75.0 37.0
100.0 42.5
125.0 48.5
150.0 53.0
175.0 57.0
200.0 61.5
225.0 66.0
250.0 71.0
275.0 76.5

Reverse direction
12.5 6.0
25.0 12.5
37.5 17.0
50.0 19.5
75.0 25.0
100.0 30.5

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PHYS 416

125.0 37.5
150.0 45.5
175.0 52.0
200.0 59.0
225.0 65.5
250.0 71.0
275.0 76.5
Carry out a plus–minus interpretation of the dataand comment briefly on the resultant
bedrockprofile. [15 Marks]

c) Is the bed rock characterized by dipping interface, explain. [3 Marks]

QUESTION FOUR: [20 MARKS]


4 a) Using the method of electrical images, derivethe relationship between apparent
resistivity,electrode spacing, layer thicknesses and resistivitiesfor a VES performed with a
Schlumbergerspread over a single horizontal interfacebetween media with resistivities r1 and r2.
[7 Marks]

b) Calculate the variation in apparent resistivityalong a CST profile at right angles to a


verticallyfaulted contact between sandstone and limestone,with apparent resistivities of 50ohmm
and600ohmm, respectively, for a Wenner configuration.What would be the effect on the profiles
ifthe contact dipped at a shallower angle? [7 Marks]

c) If a CST were to be performed along theprofile, select, giving reasons, a suitable


electrodespacing to map the basement. Sketch theexpected form of the CST for both
longitudinaland transverse traverses. [6 Marks]

QUESTION FIVE: [20 MARKS]


5 a) What physical property is studied in seismic survey [2 Marks]
b) To find the depth to bed rock in a damp site survey travelling times are measured from the
shot point to 12 geophones laid out at 15 m interval in a straight line through the shot point. The
offset x range from 15 m to 180 m, determine the depth of overburden from the data.

X (m) T (ms) X (m) T (ms)


15 19 120 68
30 29 135 72
45 39 150 76
60 50 165 78
75 59 180 83
90 62 195 87
105 65 210 91
[12 Marks]

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PHYS 416

c) A single-ended refraction profile designed to determine the depth to an underlying horizontal


refractor reveals a top layer velocity of 3.0kms-1 and a refractor velocity of 5.0kms-1. The
crossover distance is found to be 500 m. What is the refractor depth? [6 Marks]
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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