GEOPHYSICS

Course No: DSCR 304

Course Title: Geophysical Methods: Principles &
Applications

A. S. M. Woobaidullah
Supernumerary Professor
Department of Geology
Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Dhaka University
 Geophysics
Geology + Physics = Geophysics

р1
 Geophysics
What is Geophysics?
Geophysics is the science that applies the
principles of physics to the study of the earth.

Geophysical investigations of the interior of the

earth involve taking measurements at or near the
surface of the earth that are influenced by the
internal distribution of physical properties.

Analysis of these measurements can reveal how

the physical properties of the earth’s interior
vary vertically and laterally.
 Introduction of Geophysical Survey

• What is Geophysical Survey?

• Introduction of Several kind of Geophysical
Survey
• Limitations of Geophysical Survey
 What is Geophysical Survey
• We cannot see directly into the Earth
• We can see it through some physical parameters
– Gravity, Magnetism, Elasticity, Electric flow, etc.
• We can use it to grasp the outline of subsurface
condition.
– Metal mining, Petroleum, Groundwater investigation,
Geotechnical and Environmental studies, etc.
 Merit and Demerit of Geophysical Survey
• Comparing with Borehole drilling
Investigation Type Cost Reliability Information

Drilling High Direct Point

Geophysical Low Indirect 1-D, 2-D, 3-D

survey (via Physical
property)
 Flow Chart of Investigation
Plan for Objective construction

Purpose of investigation

Selection of exploration method

Measurement

Analysis/Processing
Other geological information

Interpretation

Planning, Design
 Passive Survey and Active Survey
Active: Artificial Controlled Signal Source
Passive: Natural Source

Method Active Survey Passive Survey

Seismic Refraction Microtremor
Reflection
Surface wave
Gravitation Gravity
Magnetic Magnetic
Electric VES, 2-D, IP SP
Electro-Magnetic CSAMT, TEM, GPR AMT
CS - Controlled Signal Source
 A wide range of geophysical surveying methods exists, for each of which
there is an operative physical property to which the method is sensitive.
The methods are provided in the table
Geophysical Methods Measured parameter Operative physical
property
Gravity Spatial variations in the strength of the Density
gravitational field of the earth
Magnetic Spatial variations in the strength of the Magnetic susceptibility
magnetic field and remanence

Seismic Travel time of reflected and refracted Density and elasticity

seismic waves determining the seismic
velocity
Electrical:
Resistivity Potential difference Electric conductivity
Self polarization Potential difference Electric conductivity
Induced polarization Polarization Voltages or frequency Electric capacitance
Electro-magnetic dependent resistivity Electric conductivity and
Response to electro-magnetic radiation Inductance

Radioactivity Natural radiation Intensity of radiation

Ground penetrating Travel time of reflected electro-magnetic Dielectric property
radar (GPR) waves
 Geophysical Surveying applications
Application Area of Appropriate Methods
Exploration for fossil fuels S, G, M, (EM)
(Oil, Gas & Coal)

Exploration for metalliferrous M, EM, E, SP, IP

minerals

Exploration for bulk mineral S, (E), (G)

deposits ( Sand & gravels)

Exploration for groundwater E, S, (G)

Engineering and Construction E, S, (G), (M)

investigations

Subsidiary methods are in brackets

WHAT ARE THE GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES?
 Gravity Method Principle
Gravity Method: A 70-kg man weighs
less than 70 kg in Hilly High land,
Bandarban and more than 70 kg in the
beach area of Cox’s Bazaar. This is
because Bandarban Highland is at a
substantially higher elevation than sea
level while beach at Cox’s Bazar is at sea
level. So, the farther from the center of
the earth the less one weighs. What one
weighs depends on the force of gravity
at that spot and the force of gravity
varies with elevation, rock densities,
latitude, and topography. So, one of the
parameters that influence on the gravity
measurements is the density and this is
the property that is used to locate the
distribution of materials that are either
lighter or heavier than the surrounding
rocks. Mass, however, does not depend Measuring the spatial (i.e. from one place to the next)
on gravity but is a fundamental quantity variation of gravity, plus knowing the Earth’s shape and
throughout the universe.
the instrument location, to take care of shape and
distance factors, thus provides important information
which can be used to calculate density distributions in
the lithosphere.
 Magnetic Method Principle
Magnetic Method:
The earth’s outer core is
made of molten iron
and nickel. Convection
currents in the core
result in motion of
charged particles in a
conductor, producing a
magnetic field. The field
behaves as though
there is a north
magnetic pole in the
southern hemisphere
and a south magnetic
pole in the northern
hemisphere. The
primary applications of
the magnetic method
are in mapping the
basement and locating
ferromagnetic ore
deposits.
 Seismic Method
Principle
The Seismic Method: Seismic
survey involves the
measurement of travel time of
seismic rays propagating
through the earth’s interior and
returned to the surface of the
earth after reflection or
refraction from geological
(acoustic) boundaries within the
ground. Measured travel times
from individual boundaries are
converted into depth, and thus
the subsurface distribution of
interfaces of geological interest
can be systematically mapped.
 Electrical Method Principle
Electrical Methods:
Electrical methods use
natural or artificial electric
or electro-magnetic fields to
study the subsurface rocks
distribution based on their
conductive or inductive
characters. These methods
are well suited to tracking
the subsurface water table,
locating water-bearing
sands and for
environmental studies .
Seismic methods can also
be used for this purpose.
Electromagnetic methods
are useful in detecting near
surface features such as
ancient rivers.
 Application of Geophysical Methods
Geophysics has major influence
both as a field of pure science in Crust
which the objective is pursuit of
knowledge for the sake of
knowledge and as an
Mantle
applied science in which the
objectives involve solution of
problems of practical or
commercial interest. Its principal
commercial applications lie in the
exploration for oil and natural gas
and, to a lesser extent, in the
search for metallic ore deposits.
Geophysical methods also are
used in certain geologic-
engineering applications, as in
determining the depth of alluvial
fill that overlies bedrock, which is
an important factor in the
construction of highways and large
buildings, in ground water
exploration and so on. Use of Seismic Waves in Determining Earth’s Internal
Structure
 Application of Geophysical Methods
Factual evidences for much
of the success of the plate
tectonics theory were
provided by geophysical
techniques. For example,
seismology has
demonstrated that the
earthquake belts of the
world demarcate the plate
boundaries and that
intermediate and deep
seismic foci define the dip of
subduction zones; the study
of rock magnetism has
defined the
magnetic anomaly patterns
of the oceans; and
paleomagnetism has
charted the drift of
continents through geologic
time.
MAGNETOMETER SURVEY APPLICATIONS

EXAMPLE USES…

Estimating Basin Thickness

Determining Fault Type
Locating Mining Prospects
Finding Buried Drums
Evaluating Ocean-Floor Spreading
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS APPLICAIONS

EXAMPLE USES…

Finding Mineral Prospects

Locating Contaminant Plumes
Finding Buried Ordinance
Locating Utilities & Pipelines
Electrical Method APPLICATIONS
EXAMPLE USES…

Shallow Stratigraphy
Groundwater
Exploration
Locating Mining
Prospects
Environmental
Studies
Estimating Glacial
Cover
Engineering and
Construction
investigations
SHALLOW STRATIGRAPHY USING RESISTIVITY TOMOGRAPHY
GROUND PENETRATING RADAR

A COMMENT ON GPR…

If “Mother Nature” wasn’t

so “cruel” to the use of GPR,
then this method would have
the same place in
engineering and
environmental geophysics as
reflection seismology does
in petroleum exploration.
GRAVITYGRAVITY
SURVEYSURVEY
APPLICATIONS

EXAMPLE USES…

Salt Dome Exploration

New Basin Reconnaissance
Estimating Glacial Cover
Corroborating Seismic Refraction
Military Applications
Isostatic Studies of the Earth
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS APPLICATIONS

EXAMPLE USES…

Finding Mineral Prospects

Locating Contaminant Plumes
Finding Buried Ordinance
Locating Utilities & Pipelines
 Seismic Refraction Survey Applications

0.3

1.0
Altitude (m)

3.3
1.5
3.0

(km/s)
Distance (m)
Seismic Reflection Survey Applications
Active fault location by airphoto-interpretation

0 distance

Surface
Magnetic and Gravity Survey Applications

Gravity Anomaly Map Magnetic Anomaly Map

(High anomaly in center) (anomaly shaped dipole;+/-)

（ Unit:mgal （ Unit:γ)
)

Intrusion of Igneous Rock into Caldera

 Vertical Electric Sounding (1-D)
Elec Config : Schlumberger
Line Name : No.214- 1

Depth Res. Apparent Resistivity Curve & Resistivity Model OBS.

A M N B ■ Schlumberger
[ｍ ] [Ω - ｍ ]
(a)
1.0 10.0 100.0 [Ω - m]
0.1
AB>3MN

87.4
CAL.
A M N B － Schlumberger
0.6
(b)
1.0
AB>3MN 22.4 ■

■
3.4 ■
■
A M N B 5.9
1.9
■
■
■
■■
(c) 10.0 ■■
■
■
AB>3MN ■
■
■
Figure 2-4 Schematic diagram of field ■
■
measurement and measurement process 22.9
■
■
100.0 ■
■
■
■

RMS = 1.18 (%)

 Resistivity Profiling (2-D)

Elevation(m)
High
700

Weathered
Resistivity
600

Fissure

500
Low
Fresh Rock

400

m Tunnel Base
Clay
Clay
 Electromagnetic Survey (CSAMT)

Resistivity
Altitude (m)

Distance (m)
Resistivity Cross Section
 Ground Penetrating Radar Application

Tunnel Lining
 Geo-Tomography
Hole-C Hole-B Hole-A
100m 100m
3-D Velocity distribution
(3-D Seismic Tomography)
Source （ 200point
s）
Receiver （ 351points ）

V(km/s)
200m

W N
PS Logging
PS Logging
McSEIS

Compressor

P wave
S wave

Borehole
Sensor
 Limitation of Geophysical survey

• Assumption on analysis
• For example, VES (Vertical Electric Sounding)
– Horizontal layered structure
– No variation of underground structure for
horizontal direction

r1 r1
r2 r2
 Limitation of Geophysical Survey

• Trading off between Resolution and Exploration depth

– The deeper, the less resolution

• Trading off between Resolution and Noise

– The larger resolution, the larger error

• Boundary Condition
– 2-Dimentional, 3-Dimentional structure effect
THANK
YOU
ALL
 Classification of Geophysical methods
Method Physical Property Exploration Type Measured Parameter

Seismic Elasticity Refraction Two way Travel Time

(seismic velocity, Reflection
acoustic impedance)
Surface wave

Gravitation Density Gravity Spatial variation of

gravity (g)
Magnetic Magnetic Magnetic Spatial variation of
permeability Strength of the
magnetic field (B)
Electric Resistivity VES, 2-D, IP, SP Potential difference

Electro - Electric Conductivity AMT, CSAMT Response to electro-

Magnetic TEM, GPR magnetic radiation
 GEOPHYSICS
Course No: GHT 205
Course Title: Gravity, Magnetics and Radioactive
Methods

A. S. M. Woobaidullah
Professor
Department of Geology
Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Dhaka University
[email protected]