Knowra Near-surface geophysics Near-surface geophysics Near-surface geophysics uses physical measurements to investigate shallow underground materials and structures. It supports engineering, environmental, archaeological, and groundwater investigations.
Seismic refraction : A seismic method that estimates subsurface layers from the travel times of refracted waves. Wave speeds and refraction help map shallow layers and depth to bedrock.
Geotechnical engineering : The engineering discipline concerned with soil, rock, and their interaction with structures. Geophysical surveys help characterize ground conditions before construction and infrastructure work.
Seismic wave : An elastic disturbance that propagates through a material, carrying energy without bulk transport of matter. Seismic methods infer subsurface structure from wave travel, reflection, and refraction.
Borehole logging : The measurement of physical properties along a drilled borehole to characterize subsurface formations. Logging provides depth-specific measurements, unlike surface methods that infer structure indirectly.
Geophysical inversion : The mathematical estimation of subsurface properties from measured geophysical data. Different underground models can explain the same measurements, making interpretation non-unique.
Electrical resistivity tomography : An imaging method that infers subsurface electrical resistivity from current injected through ground electrodes. Resistivity contrasts can distinguish groundwater, clay, and buried structures.
Environmental site assessment : An investigation that evaluates environmental conditions and potential contamination at a site. Geophysics can map buried tanks, waste, and contaminant pathways without extensive drilling.
Electrical resistivity : A material property describing how strongly a substance opposes the flow of electric current. Resistivity measurements respond to pore fluids, mineral composition, and soil texture.
Geological mapping : The observation and representation of rock units, structures, and deposits exposed at or near the surface. Mapping characterizes visible geology, while geophysics investigates concealed features.
Geophysical resolution : The capacity of a geophysical measurement or model to distinguish nearby subsurface features. Small targets may remain undetectable even when measurements are precise.
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