- Subject: List and comparison of software for forward and inverse modelling in

geophysics.

The subject is related to the diversity of software available for forward and inverse
modelling in geophysics with a specific focus for archaeological applications. It is
intended to make a list of them in a first step (some work is already available by the
author of this call and some wiki pages) and a comparison between them with a focus
on their use for detectability of archaeological structures (prediction of magnitude and
shape of anomalies) and their usability (environment, ergonomy, etc.). The most used
methods (magnetics, resistivity, low frequency EM and GPR) are the main methods
looked for. This study does not limit itself to open-source software, but also includes
freeware software. Visualization software is not part of the scope of this call.

- Outcome: List and comparison of software for archaeological surveys. Simulation on a

synthetic case with computation of limiting factors for detectability.
People who have answered by email about their use of software for modelling/inversion of
geophysical data are listed here by chronological order:

- Mercedes Solla Carracelas (2/10/2019) about radar: GPRSIM, REFLEXW,

GPRMAX.
- Roman Pasteka (4/10/2019) about gravimetry and magnetics : Potent software by
Geophysical Software solutions(Australia), GM-SYS by Northwest Geophysical
Associates Inc (USA), GMM modelling by G-Trend Ltd Slovakia, Mod3D open-source,
IGMAS+/
- Apostolos Sarris (4/10/2019) about radar: GPRMAX and ReflexW.
- Julien Thiesson (7/10/2019) about electrics and EM: PyGimli/PyBert (Thomas Gunthe
et al.) + home-made software by A. Tabbagh in Fortran for resistivity and EM
modelling; open source code FDEM1D by Ghent University.
- Ilaria Catapano (8/10/2019) about radar: VIY3 by Transient (but linked only to this
instrument), GRED/3D by IDS, open source microwave tomographic approach for GPR
by Ilaria on-line soon.
- Nikos Papadopoulos (8/10/2019) about electrics : Res2DInv and Res3Dinv by
geotomosoft, EarthImager2D and 3D by Advances Geosciences, DC_2DPRO and
DC_3DPRO by Korean Institute of Geosciences, 2DIP and TS2DIP by Zonge,
SensInv2D and 3D by Crosswellinstruments- Germany, BERT Boundless Electrical
Resistivity Tomography, R3t and R2 freeware by Univ. of Lancaster.
- Meric Berge (9/10/2019): Res1D, Res2Dmod, Res3Dmod, R2, R3t, pyGimli-Bert for
resistivity; ReflexW, GPRSIM and GPRMax for radar, MAG2DATA and Potensoft for
magnetics, ReflexW for seismics, Inv2DVLF for EM, Potensoft for gravity.
- Armin Schmidt (22/12/2019): magnetometer modelling and inversion with home-
made software programmed in Python using the very advanced SciPy library.

The resistivity section has been corrected by Nikos Papadopoulos.

 It seems that a comparison between different software for geophysical modelling
specifically for archaeological applications does not exist as such.
On Wikipedia, there exists a list of open-source software (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
List_of_free_and_open-source_software_packages) or specialized lists like for GIS :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Free_GIS_software, or for topics in geophysics:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_free_geophysics_software.
But looking at the software listed, the great majority of them is related to seismic data and is of
little use for archaeological / soil researches.
Looking at places like Sourceforge, and using the word ‘geophysics’
(https://sourceforge.net/directory/os:windows/?q=geophysics) returns only 8 projects, most of
them having not been alive for more than 4 years (except GPLib++, but used for MT and
seismic). The GitHub repository (https://github.com/search?q=geophysics ) hosts more code
related to geophysics (508 in March 2020) and it is necessary to refine the query to a specific
method (electromagnetics for example) to see all projects on this platform.
The work undertaken in this report is a list of software for forward and inverse modelling in
geophysics for archaeology.
First, we have asked our colleagues which software they have used or were still using for
modelling the response of archaeological structures and for the inversion of geophysical
anomalies. We have mainly focused on free software, but some commercial one were also
included if their price was relatively low. In a second step, we have been looking through
Internet sources to gather information about different modelling software.
Considering the number of software packages found (nearly 30), it was not possible to
download every software and test it (a call for students with STSMs was unsuccessful). The
following tables and notes were derived only from literature and from my personal experience.
But we hope that they could be used as a first base of thought for the use of these software
packages. The final table (XLS file) mimics what has already been done for wikis about free
and open-source software.

ELECTROMAGNETICS

Despite instruments used for a long time (Geonics EM31 for example), this method is probably
the one which has the least software available. Among the different responses obtained from
our questionnaire, only two software packages were quoted (Inv2DVLF and pyGIMLi).
- Inv2DVLF is an inversion code for single frequency VLF data (we will not discuss in
detail VLF data, because the method is very rarely used in geophysics applied to
archaeology). It was developed by Monteiro Santos et al. in 2016 following the
resolution of the direct problem using finite element modelling by Sasaki (ref:
http://emtomo.com/news-and-events/42-a-new-version-of-the-vlf2d-em-
multifrequency).
- A new version for multifrequency data is now available: VLF2Dmf
(http://emtomo.com/products/vlf2dmf). It includes a 2D forward modelling and 2D
Occam inversion of VLF-EM data including topography. This software is not free, but
we mention it because of the paucity of available LFEM software.
- EM4 soil from the same company (EMTOMO) is a program for 1D Laterally
Constrained Inversion (or quasi-2D inversion) and 1D Spatially Constrained Inversion
(quasi-3D inversion) of data collected with multisensor and multifrequency instruments
like those from DUALEM, GEONICS, GF-CMD or GEM and GSSI-Profiler. This
software is not free (http://emtomo.com/products/em4soil).

- AarhusInv (https://hgg.au.dk/software/aarhus-workbench ) is a package used for

inversion of several types of data (ERT, IP and EMI). AarhusInv uses a local 1D model
description. In the inversion phase, the models are constrained together forming a 3D-
model space. For DC and IP a full 2D solution is available as well. Although AarhusInv
is free to use for non-commercial purposes, one needs to sign and return a registration
form to receive AarhusInv (Auken et al., 2016). The AarhusInv program is a stand-alone
command-prompt executable, written in Fortran. It runs on Windows platforms.

- EMMA ElectroMagnetic Model Analysis from Aarhus University

(https://hgg.au.dk/software/emma) is a freeware for analysis of electrical and
electromagnetic modelling (both TDEM and FDEM). It can be used as a planning and
teaching application. Registered users receive the EMMA newsletter and information
about new versions. The underlying model is a 1-D model with horizontal layers. It is
an executable file for Windows.

- PyGIMLi (https://www.pygimli.org): GIMLi is a general library for modelling and

inversion in geophysics (Rucker et al., 2017). This object-oriented library provides
management for structured and unstructured meshes in 2D and 3D, finite-element and
finite-volume solvers, various geophysical forward operators, as well as Gauss-Newton
based frameworks for constrained, joint and fully-coupled inversions with flexible
regularization. It is available for different platforms (Linux, Windows, Mac) and
requires Python3. PyGIMLi is distributed under the terms of the Apache 2.0 license. Its
use is reserved for people with skills in computing and physics. GIMLi is very well
documented (manual of more than 500 pages, examples, on-line resources, etc.).

- We also want to mention the code from Hanssens (Ghent University). He has made it
available on GitHub (https://github.com/dhanssens/FDEM1D) in November 2018. It is
a 1D forward and sensitivity modelling code for a 1D multi-layered-space.
Conductivity, susceptibility and permittivity of the different layers can be changed.
Code is written both in Python 3 and MatlabR2016 and necessitates one of these
software packages.

General comments:
Most of the researchers we know use their own routines. It must be pointed that the full
resolution of Maxwell equations is difficult and some simplifications has been used for
a long time following the work of Geonics in Canada. Using these simple equations (for
example the cumulative response for Horizontal coplanar or vertical coplanar
configurations) is straightforward but is an approximation (Born). To our knowledge
 only the team of A. Tabbagh/ J. Thiesson in Paris-Sorbonne University and J.
Guillemoteau / Tronicke in Potsdam University have resolved the full problem for
archaeological applications (Guillemoteau et al., 2016). The Paris team has made pieces
of software available (written in Fortran77) on request. There is no graphical interface
and input and output of data is not straightforward. We have no information about
Guillemoteau’s software. Most of the software quoted is only modelling 1D cases with
lateral constraints making them quasi-2D case. The Aarhus software seems to us one of
the best available software packages even if we have not tested it.
N.B. To keep updated about new open-source software browse for example:
https://github.com/search?q=geophysics+electromagnetics .

SEISMICS

There are lot of seismic packages available

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_free_geophysics_software) but to our
questionnaire only one name was cited: ReflexW.

- ReflexW is a program for processing and interpretation of GPR data, seismic and
ultrasound data with different geometry configurations (reflection, refraction, borehole
cross-hole and tomography - 2D and 3D cases). The program is very stable and has been
refined since more than 20 years by Sandmeier (REFLEXW is written with Delphi
5/DelphiXE2).
(https://www.sandmeier-geo.de/reflexw.html). The software is licenced and includes a
discount for academic licences and also free updates for 5 years after purchase. It runs
only under Windows. There exist many pdf guides and videos.

- PyGIMLi (see ELECTROMAGNETICS section).

General comments:
We did not spend much time to browse most of the available software in seismics
because of the rare use of this method for archaeological investigations. ReflexW is a
long-time stable software perfectly suited for 2D and 3D analysis that can also be used
for GPR processing.

MAGNETICS AND GRAVIMETRY

- MG2DATA: This open-source code was developed by Stocco et al., 2009 in Matlab. It
allows the forward model and the inversion of 2D and 2.5D magnetic data of both Total,
vertical gradient and vertical component of the magnetic field. Remanent magnetization
can be included. This code can only be used for selected magnetic profiles extracted
from maps for example to estimate the size and depth of elongated source bodies. This
code applies to 2 D and 2.5D structures (2.5D means that the extension of the bodies
perpendicular to the profile is not ‘infinite’ – practically more than 10 times the
dimension on-line – but finite).

- Potensoft developed by Arisoy and Dikmen, 2011 is a Matlab code (Version 7.6 Release
2008b) not only for modelling but also processing and mapping gravity and magnetic
 data. It runs under Windows but has been tested with Linux. It is easy to use (a well-
designed GUI) and is open-source. (Unfortunately the link:
http://www.eng.ankara.edu.tr/~arisoy/potensoft.htm is no longer valid).

- POTENT is a software developed by Geophysical Software Solutions Pty. Ltd. and runs
under Windows (http://www.geoss.com.au/potent.html). It provides a highly interactive
framework for 3-D modelling of magnetic and gravity data. PotentQ, is a simplified and
streamlined version of Potent that allows rapid semi-automatic modelling of a single
magnetic and/or gravity anomaly (PotentQ has been integrated with Geosoft's Oasis
montaj interface, https://www.geosoft.com/products ). Considering the price for Oasis,
we will not discuss this very powerful software. The price of POTENT is also high for
a perpetual licence but 30 days or 6 months licences are available.

- GM-SYS from Geosoft (https://www.geosoft.com/products/gm-sys) requires the Oasis

montaj platform. GM-SYS Profile Modelling provides a wide range of gravity and
magnetic mapping, modelling and interpretation capabilities. We have no info about the
price, but Oasis Montaj is a pre-requisite. Considering the price of Oasis, we will not
discuss this very powerful software.

- GMM, is a software quoted by R. Pasteka, from G-Trend s.r.o. company

(www.gtrend.sk) in Slovakia but we haven’t found any information on the Internet.

- MOD3D (https://sourceforge.net/projects/mod3d/) is a C++ code (by Igor Cerovsky)

available on souceforge and GitHub (https://github.com/igorcerovsky/Mod3D). It has
not been active for 6 years (software developed during his PhD at Bratislava Univ. and
Tübingen). The gravity and/or magnetic anomalies are computed using formulae for
polyhedral bodies (3D) with a user-friendly interactive environment.

- IGMAS+ software (http://www.gravity.uni-kiel.de/igmas) has been developed for more

than 20 years by the University of Kiel (Schmidt et al., 2007) and is a new version of
IGMAS ("Interactive Geophysical Modelling Application System") with a modern
graphical interface and automated interpretation tools. It allows easy integration of
constraining data into interactive modelling processes, visualization and combination of
geodata with density/susceptibility models. The numerical algorithms were developed
by Götze (Götze and Lahmeyer, 1988) and allow the calculation of geoidal undulations,
gravity components and all its gradients (FTG), as well as remanent and induced
magnetic field components and all its gradients in one program step. The link is not
active yet (03/2020).

- GMG (https://btozer.github.io/gmg/html/gmg_documentation.html ) is an open-source

software with a GUI designed by Uieda (Uieda et al., 2014) for modelling 2D potential
field (gravity and magnetic) profiles. It is inspired by GMT and ‘Fatiendo a Terra’
software. This software also includes functions for loading XY data, seismic reflection
SEGY data and exploration well horizons. The software therefore provides an integrated
geological/geophysical interpretation package. It is multiplatform (Python) and needs
an Anaconda Python distribution. On-line documentation is very clear (version 1.0,
2019).
 General comment:
There exists a lot of free codes for the modelling of gravity/magnetic anomalies, most
of it necessitates a compiler or a Matlab/ Python environment. The high-end products,
too expensive for archaeological geophysicists, are used mainly for geological
investigations. IGMAS+ software seems to be a good compromise for 3D modelling but
its status is not known at present and I was not able to find any trace of the former
IGMAS software on the Internet. GMG seems a good software for 2D.

GPR

- ReflexW: see paragraph ‘SEISMICS’

- GPRSIM (https://gpr-survey.com/gprsim.html) is a completely interactive 2D forward

modelling software designed specifically for ground penetrating radar (D. Goodman,
1994). The first version dates back to 1989 and development is continuous at user
requests. It is a 2D ray-tracing software that predicts the waveform of microwaves that
are reflected, transmitted, refracted and attenuated across model ground structures. The
manual is very well documented (with the underlying equations) and those who do not
know the ‘baby-T-rex’ response should have a look at the software manual (free)! The
pricing of the software is an annual licence with free updates during one year only.

- GPRSim.NET (https://www.geoscanners.com/freeware.html) is a freeware for

Windows (executable). It is a single wavelet simulation software (A-scan only, no B-
scan like with GPRSIM). It is partially based in the transmission line model and allows
up to ten layers to be simulated with frequencies ranging from 200MHz to 2000MHz.
It can be used to try out different real world survey scenarios and understand how
different center frequency antennas could perform, as well as getting an idea of how the
A-scan might look like in given conditions.

- gprMax (http://www.gprmax.com ) is an open source, Finite-Difference Time-Domain

Electromagnetic simulation software (Waren, 2016). It is written in Python with
performance-critical parts in Cython (original software was in C). It currently does not
have a GUI. This allows it to be very flexible and scriptable. gprMax can be run on
either CPU or GPU. gprMax can compute GPR soil response with realistic dielectric
and geometrical properties (Giannakis, 2015). Installation and documentations are
clearly explained with manuals and videos. To install gprMax from GitHub
(https://github.com/gprmax/gprMax), you need a Python environment (Anaconda for
example) and a C compiler (gcc). The code runs on Windows, Mac or Linux. All
commands are command-line-driven and pieces of Python code can also be entered in
the input files. Complex EM properties and volume geometries (fractals) can be
simulated. The output file uses the widely-supported HDF5 format.

- GPRSlice (https://gpr-survey.com/index.html) is not a modelling software (like

GPRSIM for example), but it is a comprehensive Windows-based GPR imaging
software designed for the creation of 2D/3D subsurface images. It is cited here because
it has many options for signal processing available and even 4D options have been
recently added. It is in constant development since 1994. Input of data is compatible
 with most of the manufacturers of GPR. This software that runs only under Windows
has an annual licence and there are extra licence for multi-antenna systems.

- VIY3: We were informed about this package, but it is a Windows-based application

solely devoted to set up all features for the VIY3 equipment. This GPR is by an
Ukrainian company: Transient Technologies LLC (https://viy.ua). The software
controls the measurement, uploads data to the computer, saves data, processes and
prints all measured data. This package is free but can be used only with GPR data from
this manufacturer. It is not a modelling software.

- GRED HD 3D: It is also not a modelling software. The GRED HD software is able to
process data collected from all IDS GPR systems (https://idsgeoradar.com/). Data are
acquired by OneVision software and processed by GRED HD. Objects of any generic
shape are able to be directly exported to CAD or GIS maps.

- MATGPR (Release 2 in 2010): is a freeware developed by Andreas Tzanis (Univ. of

Athens) with MATLAB for the analysis & interpretation of common and single offset
GPR data. Modelling is a part of MATGPR which includes two modelling methods: the
fast, adjoint split-step approach and the Finite-Difference method. Since version 3,
matGPR is no longer distributed under the GNU GPL licence: it is now a copyrighted
software (see http://users.uoa.gr/~atzanis/matgpr/matgpr.html for more details). A
standalone version (without MATLAB) is available. The project seems to have stopped
since 2016.

- RGPR (https://github.com/emanuelhuber/RGPR) is a free and open-source software

package to read, export, analyse, process and visualise 2D GPR data (Huber and Hans,
2018). Being written in R, it is multi-platform and necessitates R or R-Studio. There is
a well-documented on-line documentation (http://emanuelhuber.github.io/RGPR). There
are no modelling possibilities. A 3D version has been announced (03/2020).

General comments:
There exists much free code for the modelling of GPR anomalies. A Python/Matlab
environment is generally needed. gprMax seems to be the only software able to deal
with complex EM properties and volume geometries like those that we encounter in
archaeological prospecting. But its use is complex and there is no graphical interface at
this time. MatGPR is certainly simpler to use – but restricted to 2D cases- with a
standalone version (without Matlab). We have no information if this project is still alive.

ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY and INDUCED POLARISATION

- invVERIS: The inversion procedure used in this software is a 1-dimensional spatially

constrained technique (1-D SCI). This method is also known as Quasi-3D (Q3D)
inversion. The forward modelling of invVERIS is based upon solutions of DC fields in
a layered earth. The inversion algorithm is based upon the Occam regularization
method. This software is commercially available (http://emtomo.com/products/43-
invveris) and is linked to data acquired only with the different VERIS systems
(https://www.veristech.com/the-sensors).
- EMMA (see in ELECTROMAGNTICS paragraph).

- BERT (https://gitlab.com/resistivity-net/bert): BERT builds upon the framework of

PyGIMLi (see ELECTROMAGNETICS paragraph) and provides numerous high-level
and user-friendly functions and applications specifically tailored for DC resistivity
studies. It has originally been programmed as C++ app based on the pyGIMLi core
library but is increasingly using Python through pyGIMLi and pybert. Future versions
(V3) will be only in Python. To install BERT, GIMLi is needed first. The most
comfortable way (available under Linux and Windows) to install BERT is via an
Anaconda distribution.

- RES1D by Dr. M.H.Loke - Geotomo Software - (https://www.geotomosoft.com/

downloads.php) is a free non-commercial Windows program released for academic use.
It is a 1D resistivity, IP and SIP direct and inverse modelling software. Note that only
Wenner and Schlumberger arrays are available.

- RES2DMOD/3DMOD also by M.H. Loke (https://www.geotomosoft.com/

downloads.php) is a free non-commercial Windows program released for academic use
(32 bits). It is a 2D/3D resistivity and IP direct modelling software (no inversion). More
electrode configurations are available than in Res1D and even arbitrary positions are
possible. A commercial 64 bits version for Res3DMOD capable of modelling non-
standard electrode geometries is also available.

- RES2DINV/3DINV also by M.H. Loke (https://www.geotomosoft.com/

downloads.php) is designed to invert and interpret tomographic electrical and IP data in
2D, 3D and 4D. The inversion of the resistivity and IP data is conducted by least-square
methods involving finite-element and finite-difference methods (a priori information
can be used). Any type of electrode position is possible (including borehole and under
water electrodes) and time-lapse inversion is possible. It is a commercial Windows
software package protected by a serial number. The software has been taken on by
Aarhus Geosoftware thus an annual fee has to be considered for latest updates. The
licence enable free updates for one year. A free demo version is available (with
limitations, but it can be very helpful).

- DC-2DPro / 3DPro: this software for 2D and 3D inversion is developed by Prof. Jung-
Ho Kim from KIGAM, the Korean Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (Kim,
2009). It is based on a Finite-Element Method to solve the forward resistivity problem
and an active constraint balancing approach incorporating L1 and L2 regularization for
fine inverse solutions. It used to be commercially available. The status right now is not
known since Dr. Jung-Ho Kim has recently passed away (Papadopoulos, pers. com.).

- SensInv2D/3D is a Windows inversion and modelling software (based on subroutines

provided by Peter Dietrich) for 2D/3D resistivity data). This software can be purchased
theoretically from Geotomographie (http://geotomographie.de), but I found a possibility
through the Harbourdom company (http://www.harbourdom.de/sensiv2d.htm). This is
 actually an old software that uses approximate inversion methods (Back Projection,
SIRT and MSIRT).

- 2DIP/TS2DIP is a Windows commercial software from Zonge

(http://zonge.com/instruments-home/software/modelling-ip) for 2D forward and
inverse modelling (resistivity + IP).

- EarthImager2D/3D is a Windows commercial software from Advanced Geosciences

Inc. (https://www.agiusa.com/products/software) for 2D/3D forward and inverse
modelling (resistivity + IP).

- R2/cR2/R3t/cR3t/ResIPy are freeware inversion and modelling programs provided by

A. Binley, Lancaster Environment Center. It is a Windows executable for 2D and 3D
direct and inverse modelling of resistivity (and IP for cR2 and cR3t). A new Python
code has been released: ResIPy (Blanchy et al., 2020). It can be downloaded at GitHub
for Windows, MacOS and Linux platforms (https://github.com/hkexgroup/resipy).

- 3DINV is a freeware software for the 3D inversion of tomographic resistivity data

developed by the laboratory of Geophysical-Satellite Remote Sensing and Archaeo-
environment (IMS-FORTH Rethymnon) (Papadopoulos et al., 2011). The link is no
longer working: https://www.ims.forth.gr/en/index_main.php? c=90&l=g&d=7. It can
be used for academic and research purposes.

General comments:
Despite the fact that resistivity imaging is not the most frequently used method in
geophysics applied to archaeology (possibly due to considerable work load), there exists
much free code for the modelling of resistive anomalies. This is due to the wide use of
ERT in other fields of geophysics and due to the work of Loke and Papadopoulos for
example: ready-to-use executable codes from 1D to 3D exists. Otherwise, a Python
environment is generally needed for more complex and scalable applications

P.S.
We have recently found a promising freeware: SimPEG.XYZ (Simulation and
Parameter Estimation in Geophysics, https://simpeg.xyz/). It is an open source Python
package for simulation (finite volume) and gradient based parameter estimation in
geophysical applications (Cocket et al., 2015). This software is based on a MIT Licence
(this license does not force packages that use SIMPEG to be open source nor does it
restrict commercial use). It provides simulation and inversion tools for all the methods
we have discussed in this paper. SimPEG is a very active community with a forum, lots
of documentation, examples of codes and weekly online meetings.
 We must thank now Armin Schmidt for his careful reading. He has mentioned software
packages that we missed to mention:

-1 The broad range of software available from the UBC Geophysical Inversion Facility,
the team of Doug Oldenburg: https://gif.eos.ubc.ca/software/main_programs. These
software (DCIP2D and 3D/MAG3D/GRAV3D/EM1DFM/EM1DTM) are available for
academic, educational and commercial licensing. SimPEG seems to be derived from
their previous expertise. A very interesting Internet site with on-line courses, toolkit,
books, etc. including SimPEG is available at http://geosci.xyz.

-2 Seismic Un*x (often called ‘SU’) for the processing of GPR and seismic reflection
data (https://wiki.seismic-unix.org/doku.php ). The CWP/SU is an open source seismic
utilities package originally created by the Center for Wave Phenomena (CWP) at the
Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and is more than 50 years old. One must have a Unix
or Unix-like environment to run SU. This package offers more than 450 processing and
auxiliary tools….

-3 RESINVM3D is a MATLAB package for inverting 3D DC Resistivity and Electrical

Resistivity Tomography data. It is a SEG sponsored package developed in 2006 and is
seems no more active (https://github.com/xiaoyingpu/RESINVM3D-mod).

I am sure I miss lots of packages here, but this list is open now to new contributors…

Michel Dabas, Paris the 24h of March 2020

__________________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES

Arisoi, Özgü, Dikmen, Ünal, 2011. Computer and Geosciences Potensoft. Computers & Geosciences 37,
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 Geophysical Modelling Software Informations

Geophysical Method
Software Name Modelling Forward
Owner Web Site User Mode Source Reference
dimension solution
Electrical Resistivity - Induced Polarization
InvVERIS Emtomo Commercial Executable
https://www.veristech.com/the-sensors 1
pyGIMLi-BERT Günther T, Rücker C, Wagner Free Open source
https://www.pygimli.org/index.html
F 2 and 3 Finite-differenceGünther,
and finite-element
T., Rücker, C., and Spitzer, K. (2006). 3-d modeling and inversion
RES1D Loke MH Free
http://www.geotomosoft.com/ Executable 1 Linear filter method
RES2Dmod /3Dmod Loke MH Free
http://www.geotomosoft.com/ Executable 2 Finite-difference and finite-element
RES2DINV 3DINV http://www.geotomosoft.com
Loke MH Commercial Executable 2 and 3 Finite-difference and finite-element
DC_2DPro /3DPro KIGAM (Korean Commercial
http://www.kigam.re.kr
Institute of Geoscience andExecutable 2 and 3 Finite-element
Mineral Resources) Kim, J., 2009. DC2DPro-2D interpretation system of DC resistivity tomograp
SensInv2D/3D Crosswellinstruments.de Commercial Executable
http://geotomographie.de/ 2 and 3 SIRT/MSIRT
2DIP/TS2DIP Zonge Commercial Executable
http://www.zonge.com 2 Finite-element
EarthImager2D / 3D Advanced Geosciences Commercial Executable
http://www.agiusa.com/
Inc. 2 and 3
R2/cR2/R3t/cR3t /ResIPy Binley A Free Executable 2 and 3 Finite-difference
http://www.es.lancs.ac.uk/people/amb/Freeware/Freeware.htm Binley
andA,finite-element
2015. Tools and Techniques: DC Electrical Methods, In: Treatise o
RESINVM3D SEG Free Open source
https://github.com/xiaoyingpu/RESINVM3D-mod 3
3DInv http://www.ims.forth.gr/index_main.php?c=90&l=e&d=7
Free Open source
GPR
ReflexW Commercial Executable
Sandmeier KJhttps://www.sandmeier-geo.de/reflexw.html 2 and 3 Finite-Difference Time-Domain
GPRSIM Commercial Executable
Goodman D https://www.gpr-survey.com/gprsim.html 2 Ray tracing Goodman D, 1994. Ground-penetrating radar simulation in engineering an
GPRSlice Commercial Executable
Goodman D https://www.gpr-survey.com 2 and 3
gprMax Free
Giannopouloshttps://www.gprmax.com
A Open source 2 and 3 Finite-DifferenceWarren,
Time-Domain
C., Giannopoulos, A., & Giannakis, I. (2016). gprMax: Open source
VIY3 Viy https://viy.ua Free Executable 2 and 3
GRED HD 3D IDS corp. https://idsgeoradar.com/
Commercial Executable
MATGPR Tzanis http://users.uoa.gr/~atzanis/matgpr
Open source
Free and licenced 2 Finite-Difference
Tszanis A., MATGPR Release 2: A freeware MATLAB® package for the analy
RGPR Huber http://emanuelhuber.github.io/RGPR
Free Open source 2 Huber E. and Hans G. (2018) RGPR — An open-source package to process

Magnetics and Gravimetry

MAG2DATA Stocco S Free Open source 2 and 2.5 Stocco S, Godio A, Sambuelli L, 2009. Modelling and compact inversion of
Potensoft Arısoy MÖ Free Open source 3 Arısoy MÖ, Dikmen Ü, 2011. Potensoft: MATLAB-based software for poten
 Geophysical Modelling Software Informations

Geophysical Method
Software Name Modelling Forward
Owner Web Site User Mode Source Reference
dimension solution
POTENT Software Geophysical software solutions
Commercial
(Australia)
Executable 2 and 3D
GM-SYS Commercial
Northwest Geophysical Associates Inc (US)
Executable 2D
GMM G-Trend Ltd. (Slovakia) ? ? 2 and 2.5 ?
MOD3D Igor Cerovskyhttps://github.com/igorcerovsky/Mod3D
Free Open source 3D formulae for polyhedral bodies
IGMAS+ Univ. Kiel http://www.gravity.uni-kiel.de/igmas
? Executable 3D IGMAS+
Integral eq. Over a new 3D gravity, FTG and magnetic modeling software
polyhedra
GMG Uieda Free
https://btozer.github.io/gmgOpen source 2D Talwani eq. Uieda, L, Oliveira Jr, V C, Ferreira, A, Santos, H B; Caparica Jr, J F (2014), Fa

Seismics
ReflexW Commercial Executable 2 and 3
Sandmeier KJhttps://www.sandmeier-geo.de/reflexw.html Finite-Difference Time-Domain
Seismic Un*x Colorado School
https://wiki.seismic-unix.org/doku.php
of Mines/CWP Free Open source 1 to 3

Electromagnetics
Inv2DVLF Monteiro Santos Licenced Executable 2
http://emtomo.com/news-and-events/42-a-new-version-of-the-vlf2d-em-multifrequency
FA Finite-ElementMonteiro Santos FA, António Mateus, Jorge Figueiras, Mário A. Gonçalves,
pyGIMLi Günther T, Rücker
https://www.pygimli.org/index.html
C, Wagner Free
F Open source 1 to 3 Finite-difference
Rücker
andC,finite-element
Günther T, Wagner FM, 2017. pyGIMLi: An open-source library fo
trie, S., De Pue, J., Van Meirvenne, M., and
FDEM1D P. Ghent
Univ. De Smedt,
https://github.com/dhanssens/FDEM1D
2019. Frequency-Domain
(Belgium) Free Open
Electromagnetic
source 1ForwardFinite-difference
and Sensitivity Modeling: Practical Aspects of modeling a Magnetic Dipole in a Multila
and finite-element

General software
UBC Edu. Licence Open source
https://gif.eos.ubc.ca/software/main_programs
DCIP2D and 3D/MAG3D/GRAV3D/EM1DFM/EM1DTM 1 to 3
SIMPEG.XYZ Community https://simpeg.xyz/Free Open source 1 to 3 Finite-ElementCockett, Rowan, Seogi Kang, Lindsey J. Heagy, Adam Pidlisecky, and Dougla
PyGIMLl Günther T, Rücker
https://www.pygimli.org/index.html
C, Wagner Free
F Open source 1 to 3 Finite-difference
Rücker
andC,finite-element
Günther T, Wagner FM, 2017. pyGIMLi: An open-source library fo