scholarly journals Merge-Optimization Method of Combined Tomography of Seismic Refraction and Resistivity Data

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy A. Bery

This paper discussed a novel application called merge-optimization method that combines resistivity and seismic refraction data to provide a detailed knowledge of the studied site. This method is interesting because it is able to show strong accuracy of two geophysical imaging methods based on many of data points collected from the conducted geophysical surveys of disparate data sets based strictly on geophysical models as an aid for model integration for two-dimensional environments. The geophysical methods used are high resolution methods. The resistivity imaging used in this survey is able to resolve the subsurface condition of the studied site with low RMS error (less than 2.0%) and 0.5 metre electrodes interval. For seismic refraction method, high resolution of seismic is used for correlation with resistivity results. Geophones spacing is 1.0 metre and the total number of shot-points is 15, which provides very dense data point. The algorithms of merge-optimization have been applied to two data sets collected at the studied site. The resulting images have been proven to be successful because they satisfy the data and are geometrically similar. The regression coefficient found for conductivity-resistivity correlation is 95.2%.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-423
Author(s):  
Ahmed Lachhab ◽  
El Mehdi Benyassine ◽  
Mohamed Rouai ◽  
Abdelilah Dekayir ◽  
Jean C. Parisot ◽  
...  

The tailings of Zeida's abandoned mine are found near the city of Midelt, in the middle of the high Moulouya watershed between the Middle and the High Atlas of Morocco. The tailings occupy an area of about 100 ha and are stored either in large mining pit lakes with clay-marl substratum or directly on a heavily fractured granite bedrock. The high contents of lead and arsenic in these tailings have transformed them into sources of pollution that disperse by wind, runoff, and seepage to the aquifer through faults and fractures. In this work, the main goal is to identify the pathways of contaminated water with heavy metals and arsenic to the local aquifers, water ponds, and Moulouya River. For this reason, geophysical surveys including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) methods were carried out over the tailings, and directly on the substratum outside the tailings. The result obtained from combining these methods has shown that pollutants were funneled through fractures, faults, and subsurface paleochannels and contaminated the hydrological system connecting groundwater, ponds, and the river. The ERT profiles have successfully shown the location of fractures, some of which extend throughout the upper formation to depths reaching the granite. The ERT was not successful in identifying fractures directly beneath the tailings due to their low resistivity which inhibits electrical current from propagating deeper. The seismic refraction surveys have provided valuable details on the local geology, and clearly identified the thickness of the tailings and explicitly marked the boundary between the Triassic formation and the granite. It also aided in the identification of paleochannels. The tailings materials were easily identified by both their low resistivity and low P-wave velocity values. Also, both resistivity and seismic velocity values rapidly increased beneath the tailings due to the compaction of the material and lack of moisture and have proven to be effective in identifying the upper limit of the granite. Faults were found to lie along the bottom of paleochannels, which suggest that the locations of these channels were caused by these same faults. The VLF-EM surveys have shown tilt angle anomalies over fractured areas which were also evinced by low resistivity area in ERT profiles. Finally, this study showed that the three geophysical methods were complementary and in good agreement in revealing the pathways of contamination from the tailings to the local aquifer, nearby ponds and Moulouya River.


2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Meric ◽  
S Garambois ◽  
D Jongmans ◽  
M Wathelet ◽  
J L Chatelain ◽  
...  

Several geophysical techniques (electromagnetic profiling, electrical tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and spontaneous potential and seismic noise measurement) were applied in the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne. France. The aim of this study was to test the ability of these methods to characterize and delineate the rock mass affected by this complex movement in mica schists, whose lateral and vertical limits are still uncertain. A major observation of this study is that all the zones strongly deformed (previously and at present) by the movement are characterized by high electrical resistivity values (>3 kΩ·m), in contrast to the undisturbed mass, which exhibits resistivity values between a few hundred and 1 kΩ·m. As shown by the surface observations and the seismic results, this resistivity increase is due to a high degree of fracturing associated with the creation of air-filled voids inside the mass. Other geophysical techniques were tested along a horizontal transect through the movement, and an outstanding coherency appeared between the geophysical anomalies and the displacement rate curve. These preliminary results illustrate the benefits of combined geophysical techniques for characterizing the rock mass involved in the movement. Results also suggest that monitoring the evolution of the rock mass movement with time-lapse geophysical surveys could be beneficial.Key words: gravitational movement, geophysical methods, Séchilienne.


Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donat Demanet ◽  
François Renardy ◽  
Kris Vanneste ◽  
Denis Jongmans ◽  
Thierry Camelbeeck ◽  
...  

As part of a paleoseismological investigation along the Bree fault scarp (western border of the Roer Graben), various geophysical methods [electrical profiling, electromagnetic (EM) profiling, refraction seismic tests, electrical tomography, ground‐penetrating radar (GPR), and high‐resolution reflection seismic profiles] were used to locate and image an active fault zone in a depth range between a few decimeters to a few tens of meters. These geophysical investigations, in parallel with geomorphological and geological analyses, helped in the decision to locate trench excavations exposing the fault surfaces. The results could then be checked with the observations in four trenches excavated across the scarp. Geophysical methods pointed out anomalies at all sites of the fault position. The contrast of physical properties (electrical resistivity and permittivity, seismic velocity) observed between the two fault blocks is a result of a differences in the lithology of the juxtaposed soil layers and of a change in the water table depth across the fault. Extremely fast techniques like electrical and EM profiling or seismic refraction profiles localized the fault position within an accuracy of a few meters. In a second step, more detailed methods (electrical tomography and GPR) more precisely imaged the fault zone and revealed some structures that were observed in the trenches. Finally, one high‐resolution reflection seismic profile imaged the displacement of the fault at depths as large as 120 m and filled the gap between classical seismic reflection profiles and the shallow geophysical techniques. Like all geophysical surveys, the quality of the data is strongly dependent on the geologic environment and on the contrast of the physical properties between the juxtaposed formations. The combined use of various geophysical techniques is thus recommended for fault mapping, particularly for a preliminary investigation when the geological context is poorly defined.


Geophysics ◽  
1952 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Woodward Moore

Of the several geophysical methods used in exploration for oil and useful ore bodies, the earth‐resistivity and seismic‐refraction tests have been found to be the most adaptable to the shallow tests generally required in highway construction work. Of these, the earth‐resistivity test is the faster and has a wider range of application to highway problems than does the seismic test. Use of both methods of tests in subsurface explorations for engineering structures is expanding. The paper cites a growing need for a more thorough subsurface investigation of all engineering structure sites and gives examples of field data obtained by the Bureau of Public Roads when making preliminary geophysical surveys of proposed highway locations or structure sites. The economic aspects and the advantages and limitations of the two methods of test are discussed with particular reference to their application to highway engineering problems.


Geophysics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Jacobson

Despite many attenuation measurements which indicate a linear functional frequency dependence of absorption or constant [Formula: see text] in sediments, several theories predict no such linear dependence. The primary justification for rejecting a first‐power frequency dependence of attenuation is that it implies that seismic waves cannot propagate causally. Seismic waves must also travel with some velocity dispersion to satisfy causality, yet there is a lack of velocity dispersion measurements in sediments. In‐situ attenuation is caused by two distinct mechanisms: anelastic heating, and scattering due to interbed multiples. Apparent, or scattering, attenuation can produce both frequency‐dependent and non‐frequency‐dependent effects. Accurate measurements of attenuation and velocity dispersion are difficult; it is not surprising that a systematic investigation into the frequency dependence of absorption and velocity has not been made. A reinvestigation into two seismic refraction data sets collected over thickly stratified deep‐sea fans indicates that [Formula: see text] should not be assumed to be independent of frequency. Further, significant frequency‐independent absorption is present, indicating a high degree of apparent attenuation. Phase, or velocity, dispersion was also measured, but the results are more ambiguous than those for attenuation, due to inherent limitations of digital signals. Nevertheless, the absorption and velocity dispersion results are largely compatible, suggesting that if apparent attenuation is observed, then the scattered waves propagate causally.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 787-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hauck ◽  
M. Böttcher ◽  
H. Maurer

Abstract. Detailed knowledge of the material properties and internal structures of frozen ground is one of the prerequisites in many permafrost studies. In the absence of direct evidence, such as in-situ borehole measurements, geophysical methods are an increasingly interesting option for obtaining subsurface information on various spatial and temporal scales. The indirect nature of geophysical soundings requires a relation between the measured variables (e.g. electrical resistivity, seismic velocity) and the actual subsurface constituents (rock, water, air, ice). In this work we present a model, which provides estimates of the volumetric fractions of these four phases from tomographic electrical and seismic images. The model is tested using geophysical data sets from two rock glaciers in the Swiss Alps, where ground truth information in form of borehole data is available. First results confirm the applicability of the so-called 4-phase model, which allows to quantify the contributions of ice-, water- and air within permafrost areas as well as detecting the firm bedrock. Apart from a similarly thick active layer with enhanced air content for both rock glaciers, the two case studies revealed a heterogeneous distribution of ice and unfrozen water within rock glacier Muragl, where bedrock was detected at depths of 20–25 m, but a comparatively homogeneous ice body with only minor heterogeneities within rock glacier Murtèl.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1175-1196
Author(s):  
Dion J. Wiseman ◽  
Jurjen van der Sluijs

Digital terrain models are invaluable datasets that are frequently used for visualizing, modeling, and analyzing Earth surface processes. Accurate models covering local scale landscape features are often very expensive and have poor temporal resolution. This research investigates the utility of UAV acquired imagery for generating high resolution terrain models and provides a detailed accuracy assessment according to recommended protocols. High resolution UAV imagery was acquired over a localized dune complex in southwestern Manitoba, Canada and two alternative workflows were evaluated for extracting point clouds. UAV-derived data points were then compared to reference data sets acquired using mapping grade GPS receivers and a total station. Results indicated that the UAV imagery was capable of producing dense point clouds and high resolution terrain models with mean errors as low as -0.15 m and RMSE values of 0.42 m depending on the resolution of the image dataset and workflow employed.


1989 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
G.R. Pettifer ◽  
N. Djordjevic ◽  
D. Heislers ◽  
J. Schaeffer ◽  
J.A. Withers

Fireholes at the top of the thick Latrobe Valley brown coal seams pose a geotechnical hazard to overburden dredges and reduce coal reserves. Overburden thickness (typically 10 to 15 m) is up to 50 m in the fireholes, which are from 20 to hundreds of metres in diameter and are infilled with baked clays, soft lacustrine clays and alluvial deposits.Given the complexity of firehole geometry and overburden geology, firehole definition prior to overburden stripping, by drilling alone, is expensive and is not definitive. To improve firehole exploration, geophysical methods were tried in a test area with good borehole control (115 holes), near Morwell open cut.Grid geophysics (20m. � 20m., 2805 grid stations) using gravity, EM34 20 m loop conductivity and high resolution magnetics gave very good results. Shallow seismic reflection methods were not successful.Residual gravity defined overburden thickness variations best with gravity highs of up to 6.5 micrometres/sec2 over the fireholes. EM conductivity showed reasonable correlation with overburden thickness, with EM conductivity highs over fireholes infilled with lower resistivity lacustrine clays and silts. High resolution magnetics using a TM-3 caesium vapour magnetometer, despite high cultural interference, showed broad, low amplitude highs over fireholes where higher susceptibility baked clays are thickest. The three geophysical data sets and overburden data were gridded (5m. � 5m.) and the grids dumped to a MicroBrian image processing system. Conventional image processing analysis was carried out to compare, enhance, filter, display and classify the complementary data sets. A classification scheme for overburden type based on geophysical responses plus a routine firehole exploration methodology using residual gravity, EM, magnetics, progressive drilling data and the image processor was devised to reduce drilling costs and increase exploration confidence. The case history presents the results of the grid geophysics and image processing approach.


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (8-6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauzi Andika ◽  
Rosli Saad ◽  
Nordiana Mohd Muztaza ◽  
Nur Azwin Ismail ◽  
Mohd Mokhtar Saidin

Geophysical surveys were conducted in Bukit Bunuh area, Perak to study an hypothesis of the existence of an impact crater and if so, to identify the perimeter of the crater. Four (4) geophysical methods were applied; seismic refraction, 2-D resistivity imaging, gravity and magnetic methods over approximately 132.25 km2 of developed agricultural land, primary jungle and villages of Bukit Bunuh, Perak and its vicinities. The surveys were conducted from May 2011 until July 2013 and have successfully proven the existence of an impact crater. The crater is about 6 km in diameter with a depth of 5 m – 50 m. There are lots of unusual fractured bedrock which represent features associated with impacted event.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Teixeira ◽  
Lorenzo Cazon ◽  
Bento Caldeira ◽  
Alberto Blanco ◽  
José Borges ◽  
...  

<p>Muon Tomography is an imaging technique that uses muons, a natural background radiation, as a means of observing the the earth’s subsurface. Muons are elementary particles like electrons but with a much greater mass that gives them a high penetrative power across matter. With suitable detectors it is possible to create muographs (muon radiographs) to obtain the column density distribution of the surveyed region. This project is a collaboration between University of Évora and the Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics (LIP). Both are Portuguese institutions that intend to apply the muon tomography in the geophysics field. The chosen location was the Lousal Mine, an abandoned and well mapped mine in Portugal with all the support infrastructures necessary that make it an ideal location to test the muon telescope developed by us. The detection will take place inside a mine gallery about 18 m below the surface. The telescope will do a geological reconnaissance of the ground above the gallery with the intention of mapping structures and ore masses already known and of improving the existing information with new data. This will serve to test the performance and sensitivity of the muon telescope, made of particle detectors called RPCs. A working prototype was put in place to gather preliminary information and establish the requirements of the equipment. After that, a muon telescope equipped with four RPC detectors, with an area of 1 m<sup>2</sup> each, was assembled and has been collecting muons inside the Lousal Mine for the last few months. The tomographic aspect of the work is born from placing the telescope in different locations inside the mine and by orienting it to observe in different directions. Simulations of the muons detection have been made using GEANT4 software. The simulations allow to study the expected result of muographs produced by the muon flux passing through a simulated ground with different characteristics. The aim of this work is to combine the muography information with gravimetry data, from a gravimetric survey that will be carried on site, through a joint inversion of both data sets in order to obtain 3D density profiles of the observed region. Other geophysical methods are being applied above the mine to survey the surface, using photogrammetry, and the ground, using GPR and seismic refraction. These methods give knowledge about the arrangement of the ground, can be compared with previous acquired information and will help to perfect the 3D density profiles.</p>


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