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Geophysical investigations
• Geophysical investigations are the most reliable

methods for exploration of subsurface geology
• Geophysical techniques are used for

subsurface explorations.
• To explore Ore deposits , oil reserves , ground
water.
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Electrical methods
• Principle : Different materials of earth’s
crust possess widely different electrical

properties.
• Ex : Resistivity
Electrical methods are divided into two groups
1.Self potential methods
2.Potential drop methods
•Self potential method – natural
electrical potential is measured with the
help of electrodes along definite
directions
• The electric potential at a point in is
defined as the work done in moving a unit
positive charge from infinity to that point
• Potential drop method – electric current is
artificially introduced from an external source at
certain points and then its flow through
subsurface materials recorded at
different distances.
1.Equipotential method
2.Resistivity method
Equipotential method
• Two primary electrodes are inserted into the
ground , 6-7 metres apart from each other.
• From which current is introduced

• Position of primary electrodes remains fixed in
subsequent investigations
Equipotential method
• Points of equal potential are found
out along the entire region under

investigations.
• Those points are jointed to get

equipotential lines.
• When the material is uniform –
equipotential lines will be

regular
• When the material below is not of uniform
character – irregularities in
equipotential line
Electrical Resistivity method
• Resistivity method is similar to
equipotential method
• Known current is introduced through two
electrodes
• Current electrodes inserted at some
distances apart from each other.
• Potential gradient is measured directly with the
help of two potential electrodes

placed within two outer current electrodes.
• Spacing of these current and potential
electrodes is vital importance in this method.
• Spacing of the electrodes are based on
WENNER’S arrangement
• Potential electrodes are placed at distance
1/3 ‘a’
• ‘a’ is the total distance between the current

electrodes
Electrical resistivity survey
Interpretation of subsurface materials
• If material below is of uniform nature ,
resistivity values will be of regular
• If the material is of non uniform ( layers with

different characters) , resistivity values will be
irregular
• Resistivity of a given area is measured by
gradually increasing the distance between the
electrodes and changing the direction of
profiles
• Graph is plotted between the

resistivity values and depth
• Abrupt change in the resistivity curve ( rise
or fall) - change in the nature of the material
corresponding to depth.
• Aquifers , fractured zones – low resistivity

zones
Applications of electrical resistivity method
• Delineation of ore bodies occurring at
shallower depths
• Identifying the depth of bed rock ( during
projects like dams , buildings and bridge
foundations )
• To locate geological structures – folds
fractured zones
• To locate aquifers
Seismic methods
• Principle : shocks or explosions within the
earth’s crust results in generation of elastic
waves , which travel in all directions from the
place of shock , the focus.
•.
• Velocity of these shock waves is related to the
nature of medium through which they travel
• Their velocity through rocks is given by
• If Velocity of seismic waves travelling
through a section of ground is known ,
nature of the ground can be assessed.
Seismic Refraction method
• A shock is created at a chosen point by
exploding a dynamite or weight from a little
height.
• The waves produced are recorded at different

distances from the shot point with the help of
geophones or special detectors

Seismic Refraction method
Field arrangements
• Two arrangements often used are
1. Fan shooting
2. Profile shooting
Profile shooting
• Reflection methods:
• Some of the waves reaching the contact layers
is reflected back and can be recorded at the
surface.
• Depth of contact
• Average speed ‘V’ can be found from travel
time records
Correlation shooting
• Some known subsurface layer is selected as
marker .
• Reflection records are recorded along a
number of profiles.
• From each record , depths of contacts and
other important features are calculated and
plotted with reference to marker .
Applications
• Reflection methods – oil exploration , locating
structural features ( folds , valleys and faults)
,useful for subsurface studies ( lakes , rivers
and estuaries )
• Both reflection and refraction methods –
determination of depth of bed rock

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Geophysical investigations

• Geophysical investigations are the most reliable

• Geophysical techniques are used for

• Principle : Different materials of earth’s

crust possess widely different electrical

1.Self potential methods

2.Potential drop methods

electrical potential is measured with the

help of electrodes along definite

• From which current is introduced

• Points of equal potential are found

out along the entire region under

• Those points are jointed to get

equipotential lines will be

distances apart from each other.

• Potential gradient is measured directly with the

help of two potential electrodes

• Spacing of the electrodes are based on

• ‘a’ is the total distance between the current

• If the material is of non uniform ( layers with

• Graph is plotted between the

or fall) - change in the nature of the material

• Aquifers , fractured zones – low resistivity

• Their velocity through rocks is given by

• The waves produced are recorded at different

geophones or special detectors

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