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By Richard E. Sylwester

Evaluating surface and subsurface conditions for marine foundations (bridges, causeways, terminals, etc.) is often done with a limited amount of data. Subsurface information for these projects is primarily acquired using traditional methods, such as boreholes, test pits or divers, which tend to be expensive and limited in the area of coverage. A number of geophysical methods, including precision bathymetry, sidescan sonar, and seismic reflection or subbottom profiling are extremely cost-effective and obtain significantly more data than can be acquired using traditional intrusive methods. These geophysical methods provide detailed surface images and continuous profiles of the subsurface stratigraphy. This information can be invaluable for selecting the best location for geotechnical boreholes and to map potential geohazards such as submarine slides and filled or open scour holes. Offshore investigations conducted for a proposed highway bridge (Knik Arm Bridge, Cook Inlet, AK), the retrofit of two existing bridge (Antioch and Dumbarton Bridges, CA) and a proposed cruise ship terminal (Ketchikan, AK) used a combination of geophysical methods to map water depth, detect and map debris on the seabed, map the thickness of unconsolidated sediment, determine the depth to bedrock and identify potential geohazards such as scour holes. The results of the geophysical investigations will be used to select locations for obtaining geotechnical borings, to extrapolate geologic information between existing or proposed boreholes, evaluate the potential depth of scour and design a pile support pier. Geotechnical engineers, offshore contractors and bridge designers are realizing the importance of the early use of offshore geophysics for (i) site characterization, (ii) to reduce the uncertainty of geotechnical conditions thus avoiding designs that may be overly conservative and thus more expensive and (iii) to assist in selecting locations for geotechnical borings.

May 11, 2007

By J. Brian Eby

As is generally understood, the word geophysics means literally ?the physics of the Earth? and the science of geophysics is therefore that which treats of the study and measurements of the various physical properties of the Earth. The broad and general study of the elastic, the gravimetric. or the magnetic properties of the Earth as a whole belongs to the general science of geophysics. The detailed application of this science to rocks of shallow depth and in small areas for the purposes of ascertaining data on their character and structural attitude gave rise to the present well-known science of ?applied geophysics.? Since the discovery of enormous new quantities of oil, gas, and sulphur has been by far and wide the principal benefaction of geo-physics in the United States, this paper will refer only to geophysical methods employed in the search for these particular minerals. The application of methods and appliances originally used for geophysical research to the solution of the practical problems of finding new oil-fields, plus the counterflow or new and highly refined techniques and Instruments from the company and consulting geophysical research laboratories and into non-economic geophysical research, has provided another case of that gen-eral cycle of events which is familiar to all scientists. That this closed-circuit flow or scientific current has been tremendously important to the whole science of geophysics is probably well known to all members of this audience, but the gen-eral status of the exploratory geophysical arts as now used In the search for new oil-fields, the scales on which different methods are being used, the magnitude of the costs involved, and the far greater magnitude of the practical results achieved may not necessarily have come so directly to your attention. It is, I understand, for this reason that this paper has been sug-gested, and I shall seek to provide the information requested by using as case-illustrations those changes in the oil-reserve picture for the United States as a whole, and for the Gulf Coast, California, and Illinois Basin regions in particular, which have occurred in the period of the past 17 years, during which time oil-field discoveries have proceeded at a rate which served to build up known and readily-available (or proven) oil supplies to a reasonable figure, and have dispelled the fears of a serious oil shortage during any period for which valid fore-casts can be made. Not that geophysical-prospecting methods have alone been responsible for this transformation, but they have an indispensable and leading part in the picture of exploration and production-to which geophysics, geology, engineering, and general technical progress have jointly made contribution. So far as the United States as a whole is concerned, its total proven, probable, and possible oil reserves (discoverable and recoverable by then-known methods) were estimated at about nine billion barrels in 1920, whereas proven reserves alone are now com-puted at about 16 billion. In 1920 the driller in ?wild-cat? territory was faced with the knowledge that for every new oil-field opened by a successful well, from 20 to 100 unsuccessful wells would have to be drilled and, in some territories, that the chances for a discovery were really less than one in 100 for new drilling, in contrast to which may be cited the record for the past year in parts of Louisiana where the 67 wells drilled opened 16 new oil-fields, that is to say, where the score of hits to misses was increased to approximately one out of four.

Jan 1, 1940

THERE can be little doubt in the mind of anyone of the great interest which has been provoked in the mining and petroleum industry by the com-paratively new geophysical methods of prospecting, after the sessions at this year's meeting of the Institute. Not only were the sessions very well attended but every¬one seemed most attentive. Although the discussion was somewhat limited in general, that may well be at-tributed to the newness of the subject. Two sessions on this subject were planned originally, but these gave insufficient time for the presentation of all the papers prepared and a third session was abso-lutely necessary. The first meeting dealt entirely with the gravity methods and was completed in the scheduled time owing to the fact that but two of the five papers listed were read. The second session was devoted to magnetic and electrical methods, the completion of which had to be carried over into the third period of geophysics. The first session on geophysical prospecting, and in-cidentally the first scheduled Institute meeting devoted entirely to this subject, was most appropriately opened by E. L. DeGolyer, the chairman of the session. It was through the efforts of Mr. DeGolyer that the first gravity work, as applied to prospecting, was under-taken in this country. Again most appropriately, the first paper presented was given by Donald C. Barton, who carried on the first work with the Eötvös torsion balance in America and aided materially in its development. A subject, the theory of which is so difficult to understand as it is generally presented, was so clearly illustrated and ex-plained by the speaker that even a novice could grasp the fundamentals. Dr. Barton, in showing actual re-sults obtained in torsion balance surveys with the in-terpretation of the sane and later drilling records, was free in stating that there are many limitations to the field in which this and the other geophysical instruments may be successfully employed. This paper called for considerable discussion relative to the application of the torsion balance to gravity surveys over various types of structures. During the course of this discus-sion a very important point was emphasized by the chairman, namely, that for successful application of any or all of the scientific methods of prospecting, a back-ground of experience is absolutely necessary to serve as a basis for further work. This can only be secured by contributions from the results of actual prospecting work.

Jan 3, 1928

Geophysical surveys are currently being carried out over mineral prospects all around the Pacific Rim. Many of these surveys are successful in locating mineralisation in porphyry intrusives, mesothermal environments, and epithermal vein systems. A number of examples of surveys in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are presented, which show the successful application of various geophysical techniques to the discovery of mineral deposits on the Pacific Rim.

Jan 1, 1999

By F. W. Lee

A GREAT CURTAILMENT of field activities among the geophysicists occurred last year, especially in prospecting for the common metals. In gold, however, an "outstanding achievement . . . was made by the engineers of Consolidated Goldfields. Here the suboutcrop of the Main Reef Series was traced from Middelvlei through properties of the westward area, a distance of from 30 to 40 miles. Here Drs. Reineche and Krahman prospected with the aid of a sensitive magnetometer and established the singularities of the various beds which heretofore had not been sufficiently appreciated. Several underlying shale beds were used to determine this suboutcrop under the dolomite. This area promises to be the equivalent of one-half the size of the present gold fields and to rank in value with the Far East Rand." The present temperature compensated magnetometers permit accurate field observations to less than 5 gammas. Since magnetic anomalies may have their origin due to a change of elevation as well as to the outcropping of a bed of another magnetically different material, intimate geological knowledge is of great assistance in the interpretation of these measurements. To what extent magnetic measurements reflect the basement when the material is homogeneous, consisting primarily of red granite, was determined by members of the Bureau of Mines and described by Dr. J. H. Swartz. Because of the diverse causes of magnetic anomalies, some of which were discussed and correlated by Stratton and Joyce upon known conditions, magnetometer measurements are often difficult to interpret.

Jan 1, 1933

By Sherwin F. Kelly

MANY baffling problems of crustal geology-of warping and folding, elevation, subsidence, and great dislocations of the earth's surface-may now be on the verge of yielding to the science of geophysics. Electric, magnetic, gravitational, geothermal, and seismic methods are being turned to the gathering of geological evidence buried by deep layers of rock, or lying beneath the waters of the oceans. In this hope, B. L. Miller expresses the opinion that these geophysical studies will sup- ply useful data bearing-on some of the more theoretical problems of North American geology. Among these for example, is the explanation of how Appalachia disappeared. This ancient land mass is supposed to have foundered beneath the Atlantic Ocean after the close of the Paleozoic era and the question arises, was it warped or faulted downward? The geophysical data, though meagre, indicate that the surface of the dense, basal rocks, the probable remnant of ancient Appalachia now underlying the Continental Shelf, slopes downwards to a depth of some two miles below sea level at a distance of 140 mi. from shore: thus suggesting that the subsidence was the result of warping downward rather than abrupt faulting.

Jan 1, 1938

By Sherwin F. Kelly

SINCE we used Chief Buehler's name last year to give our annual report a semblance of respectability, we can follow the good precedent thus established by telling of the work his Missouri State organization has been carrying on, as reported by H. S. McQueen. Considerable value is set upon their magrletorneter working which has covered over 13,000 sq. mi.), for the indications it gives of the major structural features of the region. Numerous geological problems have been tackled Ly resistivity techniques, among which are the locating and outlining of filled sink deposits of sulphides, of iron ore, and of fire clay; tracing of faults and solution channels; mapping of the preglacial structural pattern; measurement of depth of overburden; and

Jan 1, 1937

By Donald H. McLaughlin

THE activity and enthusiasm of pioneers still prevail among workers in applied geophysics1.- Within the year, new devices have .been tried out, instruments and technique have been improved and the methods of application to commercial problems have been increased in many ingenious ways. There is still great need for more skillful interpretation of results in terms of geology, but oil the whole geophysical prospecting is making encouraging progress toward finding its proper place and function in engineering and geological practice. Spectacular successes continue to be reported, particularly .from the Gulf Coast, where the race for salt domes has not slackened, and encouraging results have been giined elsewhere in the mapping of structures in the search for oil. In the mining field, however, it can hardly be claimed that the same measure of success has been obtained, for brilliant efforts worthy of wide recognition have been overshadowed to some eatent by the unfortunate outcome of surveys undertaken unwisely without recognition of the limitations of the work. Consequently, hopes were aroused that could not be fulfilled, and it must be admitted in an impartial survey that there are a few regions, chiefly in the far north, where the standing of geophysical prospecting is somewhat doubtful and where the course of public opinion regarding it shows a certain similarity to the history of the market during the past few months. Reliable work, however, is steadily going 011 and it can confidently be expected that the methods will eventually be regarded in many regions as an essential part of the technique of securing geologic data needed for intelligent exploration.

Jan 1, 1930

By Donald H. McLaughlin

ZEST in the search for new supplies of metallic ores and petroleum is difficult to maintain with stocks of raw materials accumulating and with over- production rightly or wrongly blamed for most of our industrial troubles. Enthusiasm over new methods of prospecting has consequently diminished and exploration programs in many fields have been drastically cur- tailed. Very naturally the effects have been felt with particular keeness in highly specialized phases of the work, such as geophysical prospecting, for the feverish scramble for new areas in which to drill beneath magnetic or electrical anomalies has abated, and there is even a lull in the firing in the battle over salt domes on the Gulf Coast. It is unquestionably an unhappy time for many of the organizations dependent on this work, but in certain respects the situation may be beneficial in correcting unsound practices that .have grown up through the necessity for haste and for quick decisions. With the restriction of the field to the more competent workers by the harsh rule of survival of the fittest, a general improvement, not only in technique but in business methods, can be expected which may go far in restoring public confidence. Geophysical prospecting in the short period that it has been utilized in North America, has suffered severely both from over-popularity and from excessive abuse. The former evil now

Jan 1, 1931

By E. DeGolyer

USE of geophysical methods as an aid to prospecting for new oil pools and in the exploration of already discovered pools continued to increase and reached a new high during 1934. As in previous years, the scene of greatest activity was the Gulf coastal plain of Texas and Louisiana. Seismic crews working by the reflection method increased from some thirty crews at the first of the year to forty crews at the end. An increased demand for torsion balance work at the beginning of the year occurred and practically all available instruments were put into service. Some thirty crews with approximately eighty balances continued throughout the year. Both the pendulum and gravimeter methods of gravity surveys registered their initial successes and equipment was increased from five to seven pendulums and from one to three gravimeters during the year. Approximately five magnetometer parties continued to work throughout the year. No surface surveys by the electrical method are known to have been made. Outside of coastal Texas and Louisiana the chief geophysical work

Jan 1, 1935

By C A. Locke

Geophysical signatures of the Taranaki and Tongariro volcanoes reflect similarities in their age, composition and hydrothermal histories, but also reflect differences in host rock settings and edifice evolution. The Taranaki volcanoes have strong positive gravity anomalies showing that their edifices largely consist of dense andesite which reflects substantial lava production or dyke injection during construction and that large sub-edifice dyke/stock complexes occur. In contrast, the Tongariro volcanoes have strong negative gravity anomalies indicating low density edifices of volcaniclastic material; no sub-edifice intrusions can be identified, probably because of the lack of density contrast with host basement rocks. Strong positive magnetic anomalies over the younger cones can mainly be attributed to near-surface andesite lavas or dykes whereas subdued magnetic effects are associated with hydrothermally altered zones within both edifices and sub-edifice intrusions.  

Jan 1, 1995

By Locke CA

Geophysical signatures of the Taranaki and Tongariro volcanoes reflect similarities in their age, composition and hydrothermal histories, but also reflect differences in host rock settings and edifice evolution. The Taranaki volcanoes have strong positive gravity anomalies showing that their edifices largely consist of dense andesite which reflects substantial lava production or dyke injection during construction and that large sub-edifice dykelstock complexes occur. In contrast, the Tongariro volcanoes have strong negative gravity anomalies indicating low density edifices of volcaniclastic material; no sub-edifice intrusions can be identified, probably because of the lack of density contrast with host basement rocks. Strong positive magnetic anomalies over the younger cones can mainly be attributed to near-surface andesite lavas or dykes whereas subdued magnetic effects are associated with hydrothermally altered zones within both edifices and sub-edifice intrusions.

Jan 1, 1995

By J. J. Jakosky

A REVIEW of the progress in applied geophysics during the recent depression years reveals marked advances over the methods employed several years ago. Of late, geophysical work has been curtailed to a Con-siderable extent in the fields of oil and base-metal exploration, its especial domains a few years ago. Greater attention has been directed toward the use of geophysical technique in other engineering problems. Constantly maintained research programs have developed new instruments and per-fected better field, laboratory and interpretation techniques based on experience and skill acquired from years of application in the older geophysical field. During the past two years, geophysical methods have been employed in problems that required information on thickness of fill materials and subsurface bedrock contours. Considerable success has been attained, with subsequent drilling checking the predicted depths within one to five per cent. In general, these problems were similar as far as the fundamen-tal physical and geological conditions were concerned, but they have varied widely in specific detail and in engineering aspects. Character-istic of the different problems are: (1) yardage and bedrock profile in gold-placer mining; (2) water supply, involving underground drainage and storage conditions; (3) bedrock contours in dam-site and other structural investigations; (4) gravel and fill yardage, and other structural features along rights of way and in rock and gravel quarrying. Of particular interest, perhaps, to mining men are the problems of gold placer deposits and water supply. Geophysical work on gold placers is of especial interest because of the present expanded activity in all phases of gold mining. The development of a suitable water supply at an economical cost is often of prime importance in insuring a successful mining venture. Particularly is this true in the arid Southwest. How-ever, the use of geophysical work in water supply is not confined to the needs of mining development.

Jan 1, 1933

Teleseismic travel time residuals measured on 600-1000 km seismic arrays across the Rio Grande and East African rifts provide evidence for upper mantle low velocity zones beneath each rift of velocity contrast 6%-8%. Refraction studies show thinning of the crust below the rift axes. Regional uplift which extends hundreds of km either side of the axes, is isostatically compensated by negative density contrast at depth. Since the refraction argues against compensation by thickened crust, compensation in the upper mantle low velocity zones is suggested. Temperature effects alone can not explain the reduced velocities. Generation of a few percent of partial melt is the most probable source of the reduction. A passive extensional mechanism is investigated for the Rio Grande rift in which hot asthenosphere intrudes the lithosphere raising its temperature and generating moderate melting. It requires less than 1% extension to explain the melting but a prodigious 26% to raise the temperature from a pre-rifting continental geotherm to the solidus. Geological estimates find that extension is less than 10% over the uplift zone. Such a mechanism is possible only if the prerifting lower lithosphere geotherm lies closer to the solidus than that of stable continent. This is supported by the observed high heat flow in the Rio Grande rift uplift region which, given the long time constant for thermal diffusion, reflects elevated temperatures at depth well in advance of the onset of rifting.

Jan 1, 1987

Since 1969, a substantial number of geophysical methods have been applied in the search for porphyry copper and mesothermal type -sulpha-de deposits. These have assisted with geological mapping as well as the definition of various sulphide depos-its. The application of these methods at the Frieda-Nena deposits, Papua New Guinea, can be used as a case study for exploration in other parts of New Guinea.In 1993, Highlands Gold Limited carried out an intensive geophysical program over the Nena deposit. The methods employed included, CSAMT (controlled-source audio magneto-tellurics), airborne and ground elect-romagnetics, IP/resistivity and ground magnetics. The magnetic method was used as a regional mapping tool as well as a way of mapping alteration zones over both the Nena and Frieda River copper deposits. Electromagnetics, in part-icular FLAIRTEM, is a rapid reconn-aissance tool as well as a detailed mapping tool for the location of Nena-style massive sulphide deposits. IP/ resistivity is an expensive but most useful tool for mapping out Frieda porphyry copper style disseminated sulphides as well as Nena style deposits. It can be used to define drill targets in areas of difficult Access.a

Jan 1, 1994

By Siavash Mahvelati, Alireza Kordjazi, Joseph Thomas Coe

Deep foundations are often constructed as end bearing members with a significant amount of their capacity derived from bedrock. Sites with highly variable bedrock conditions therefore present a unique challenge when attempting to estimate the design elevation of deep foundations. Typical subsurface characterization techniques such as drilling, standard penetration testing (SPT), and cone-penetration testing (CPT) may fail to adequately establish top-of-rock elevation in geologic settings prone to karst and/or significant amounts of residuum, saprolite, and deformed bedrock. Seismic surface wave geophysical methods have been increasingly used to map bedrock topography in such settings. However, the current standard of practice for these methods introduces resolution limitations in spatially variable subsurface conditions due to averaging effects from the analytical framework used to process the acquired data. This study explores the use of a tomographic approach with full waveform inversion (FWI) to map top-of-rock elevations at a numerically simulated site representative of highly variable bedrock topography. Comparisons are made with seismic refraction (SR) and a dispersion-based multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) approach as more commonly used in geophysical subsurface investigations. The results highlight that FWI provides a superior estimate of top-of-rock topography than SR and MASW at a cost of a significant increase in the required computational resources and time.

Sep 8, 2021

By Siavash Mahvelati, Alireza Kordjazi, Joseph Thomas Coe

Deep foundations are often constructed as end bearing members with a significant amount of their capacity derived from bedrock. Sites with highly variable bedrock conditions therefore present a unique challenge when attempting to estimate the design elevation of deep foundations. Typical subsurface characterization techniques such as drilling, standard penetration testing (SPT), and cone-penetration testing (CPT) may fail to adequately establish top-of-rock elevation in geologic settings prone to karst and/or significant amounts of residuum, saprolite, and deformed bedrock. Seismic surface wave geophysical methods have been increasingly used to map bedrock topography in such settings. However, the current standard of practice for these methods introduces resolution limitations in spatially variable subsurface conditions due to averaging effects from the analytical framework used to process the acquired data. This study explores the use of a tomographic approach with full waveform inversion (FWI) to map top-of-rock elevations at a numerically simulated site representative of highly variable bedrock topography. Comparisons are made with seismic refraction (SR) and a dispersion-based multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) approach as more commonly used in geophysical subsurface investigations. The results highlight that FWI provides a superior estimate of top-of-rock topography than SR and MASW at a cost of a significant increase in the required computational resources and time.

Oct 1, 2021

By AIME AIME

UNTIL recently, practically all geophysical prospecting in Australia was conducted by government departments, either by the Aerial, Geological and Geophysical Survey of Northern Australia or the New South Wales Department of Mines. At present, in addition, the Shell company is carrying out an extensive geophysical campaign in South West Queensland. The Northern Australia Survey has now been in operation for over six years, its work being carried out principally in the northern and central parts of Australia over an area of about a million square miles. At present this Survey is being brought to a conclusion but it appears certain that the geophysical section will be transferred to a Commonwealth Government department on a permanent basis. At present the officers of the Geophysical Section are preparing or have issued some 150 reports on their field work and also a special technical report on the geophysical practice of the Survey.

Jan 1, 1942

By Pieter Hoekstra, Jim Hild, Mark Blohm

In the Basin and Range Province of Nevada, geophysics is used to assist exploration for bulk minable gold deposits, particularly over pediments. It is employed for mapping thickness of alluvium and Tertiary valley fill, for mapping covered structures, and for identifying alteration zones. In addition to potential field and seismic methods, three different electrical and electromagnetic methods are frequently used, resistivity-induced polarization, controlled source audiomagnetotellurics, and time domain EM. A review and comparison of the principles of these methods, illustrated by case histories, is the topic of this paper.

Jan 1, 1989

By Rose W. J

Geophysical prospecting was first recognized in Australia as an important aid to mining enterprises in 1927, when, on the suggestion of Sir Herbert Gepp, the "Imperial Geophysical Experimental Survey" was organized. The function of this survey was to carry out investigations on the applicability and efficacy of the most important geophysical methods under Australian conditions. The survey was formed under the joint auspices of the British Empire Marketing Board and Australian Commonwealth Government, and the investigations were carried out in Australia under the leadership of Mr. A. Broughton Edge, B.Sc., A.R.S.M., F.G.S., M.Inst.M.M., during the years 1928 and 1929. A description of the work performed, the apparatus used, the principles of the methods, and the results and conclusions of the survey are included in a report published by the Cambridge University Press in 1931.In 1932 Sir Herbert Gepp became interested in some gold mines in Eastern Victoria, in the Cassilis and Bethanga districts, and realizing that the lodes in these areas would be favorabIe for a geophysical examination, he arranged for a series of tests to be carried out. This work was performed by Mr. E. L. Blazey, B.E.E., a former member of the staff of the Imperial Geophysical Experimental, Survey, under the general direction of, and in consultation with, Mr. W. J. Rose, B.M.E.The work was commenced in October, 1932, at Cassilis, Vie., continued at Talgarno, Vie., .and concluded at...

Jan 1, 1933