Geologi Bawah Permukaan

(subsurface geology)
La Ode Ngkoimani
Pengertian

• Subsurface geology is the study of the physical properties and

location of rock and soil found below the ground surface.
• One of the most valuable reasons for learning about the subsurface
is understanding the materials below man-made structures.
• These studies are commonly called geotechnical reports and are
critical for building structures safely in areas with geologic hazards.
Apa Pentingnya Sub-Surface Geology
• These studies can also reveal hazards such as underground coal mine
workings and unstable slopes.
• It is significantly cheaper to design for hazards than to repair the damage
later.
• Thus, engineering companies often obtain geotechnical reports before
starting any major project.
• The construction industry relies heavily on mining sand and gravel
resources. These resources provide the raw materials needed to produce
concrete and asphalt for our roads, offices, and homes. Understanding
the amount and quality of the sand and gravel in a resource deposit can
influence many decisions in the mining process. Total reserve estimates,
mine design, and mining method all depend on having quality
subsurface data.
• Subsurface studies are very important for understanding and protecting
groundwater aquifers in order to maintain a steady supply of clean water.
• The U.S. Geological Survey and Washington State Department of
Ecology have published many studies related to aquifers and their use.
• These studies help us understand how water flows through and is stored in
aquifers as well as how contaminants may enter an aquifer.
• This allows people to plan future development so that aquifers remain
viable for years to come.
• Subsurface studies can also provide critical inputs for imaging magma
chambers, geothermal exploration, locating active faults
(paleoseismology), oil and gas exploration, carbon sequestration, and
metal mining.
Bagaimana Mengumpulkan data tentang SSG
• There are several methods available to collect subsurface information.
• There are depth and resolution limitations associated with each method.
Thus, knowledge of the limitations of each method is critical in
undertaking a subsurface survey :
• Borehole
• Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
• Active seismic survey
• Passive seismic survey
• Gravity and Magnetic
Borehole :
• Drilling boreholes is the primary way
used to obtain subsurface information.
• Drilling brings soil and rock to the
surface for direct study.
• These materials are described on site
and may also be sent to a laboratory
for additional study.
• Information obtained from drilling
includes material properties, changing
rock or soil type, fault locations, and
depth to water or bedrock. Tests can
also be performed within open
boreholes, to better understand the
materials in place.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
• Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a method of imaging the subsurface using
nondestructive radar pulses.
• We commonly associate radar with locating aircraft or tracking weather
systems.
• At an airport, for instance, a radio tower will emit a radio wave that bounces off
an aircraft and returns to the detector, informing an air-traffic controller of the
aircraft’s location.
• The same concept applies if the radar wave is pointed down toward the earth.
• The radio wave travels through the subsurface and bounces off of soil and rock
layers.
• Faults, contacts between different rock types, and discrete objects like boulders
or voids are then visible.
• GPR has a variety of effective depths (generally <100 feet) and resolutions,
depending on the type of equipment used and soil conditions at each site.
Active Seismic Survey
• Seismic surveys are similar to GPR in that it relies on analysis of waves
bouncing off subsurface layers.
• Unlike GPR, which relies on radar waves, seismic surveys rely on sound
waves.
• Seismic surveys are commonly categorized as either active or passive. In
active seismic surveys, the geophysicist creates a seismic wave by hitting
the ground with a hammer or using an air-gun if in water.
• In rare cases, small explosive detonations may be used to create a seismic
signal.
• In passive seismic surveys, the geophysicist uses naturally occurring
seismic waves or the “background noise” as the seismic source.
• Seismic surveys can be conducted on land or in the water—the effective
depth of the survey may vary from tens of feet to several kilometers.
• All active seismic surveys, regardless of the size of the study, involve
sound waves generated from a sources that travel through the
ground, are refracted, and are then received by detectors.
• The speed at which the waves travel tells us a lot about what layers
are made of and how they are arranged.
 Passive Seismic Survey
• Naturally occurring earthquakes in
Washington State are located and
monitored by the Pacific Northwest
Seismic Network (PNSN).
• This network consists of over three
hundred seismometers.
• Earthquakes are located using a complex
method of triangulation using several
seismometers and computer modeling.
• This can help researchers identify faults The locations of earthquake epicenters are
and other structures, and aids in determined by finding the intersection of
understanding the seismic hazards of measured distances from multiple seismometers
our state. detecting the earthquake.
Gravity and Magnetic
• Two additional types of surveys, gravity and magnetic, often work hand-in-hand to
characterize the subsurface. Gravity surveys identify density differences in rock
formations.
• This is useful for identifying the depth of bedrock under unconsolidated sediment.
• Gravity surveys can also locate contacts between two distinct densities of rock at
depth.
• Magnetic surveys identify magnetic contrasts in rocks.
• This is useful for mapping faults, folds, and rocks with more magnetic minerals.
• Both surveys can be conducted on the ground for high-resolution data.
• They can also be run from an airplane for lower resolution and greater coverage.
• These surveys are generally faster and cheaper to acquire than other data types.
• However, interpreting the data requires more training and is seldom used
independently.
Surface Geology
• There are several areas to look for oil
• The first is the obvius, on the surface of the
ground
• Oil and gas seeps are where the petroleum has
migrated from its’ source through either porous
beds, faults or springs and appears at the
surface
• Locating seeps at the surface was the primary
method of exploration in the late 1800’s and
before