Intro to Geophysics

• WHAT IS GEOPHYSICS?
Def: Application of physics to study of the solid earth

It involve taking measurements at or near the Earth’s surface that are influenced by the internal distribution of
physical properties.
Solid earth geophysics

Pure /global Applied geophysics

geophysics

 hydro-geophysics -- ground water investigation

Mining geophysics -- mineral exploration for economic reasons
Engineering geophysics -- engineering site investigations
Exploration geophysics -- for oil/gas/geothermal location
Environmental geophysics--investigation of pollution plumes
Archaeological geophysics -- in archaeology 10/14/2021
Geophysical investigations of the interior of the Earth involve taking measurements
at or near the Earth’s surface that are influenced by the internal distribution of
physical properties. Analysis of these measurements can reveal how the physical
properties of the Earth’s interior vary vertically and laterally.

geophysical methods may be applied to a wide range of investigations

from studies of the entire Earth (global geophysics to exploration of a
localized region of the upper crust for engineering or other purpose

In the geophysical exploration methods (also referred to as geophysical

surveying) measurements within geographically restricted areas are used
to determine the distributions of physical properties at depths that
reflect the local subsurface geology.
 So what!?

Understand how the earth works for us and against us!

Example:
♣ Non invasive technique
♣Efficient ie model large areas quickly
♣Comprehensive ie eliminates ambiguity
♣Cost effective
♣motion of earths deep core
♣Magnetic fields help in generating electricity
♣Earthquake estimations aid in evacuations, planning, structure building
♣Fundamental needs for society

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THEORY OF PLATE
TECTONICS

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PLATE TECTONICS

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

ENSEMBLE OF EVIDENCE
SUPPORTING PLATE
TECTONICS

CONSISTENCY OF PLATE
TECTONICS WITH WHOLE
EARTH GEOPHYSICS

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Geophysical surveying, provides a relatively rapid and cost-
effective means of deriving areally distributed information
on subsurface geology. the methods are capable of
detecting and delineating local features of potential
interest that could not be discovered by any realistic
drilling programme.

optimize exploration programmes by maximizing the rate of

ground coverage and minimizing the drilling
requirement.The importance of geophysical exploration as a
means of deriving subsurface geological information is so
great

HPH216 Geophy 1 Miss LGThwala 10/14/2021

The bad news is that the physical properties do not always clearly correlates with geological classifications and
do not necessarily easily translates into the geological terms.

The geophysics is a kind of proxy in our attempts to study the geological structures. It does not “talk” to us in
geological terms and we have to interpret obtained physical parameters in a geological sense. The successful
interpretation is based on experiences of an interpreter and on the a priori
knowledge of the geological environment studied.

Geophysical surveying, and ambiguities or uncertainties of interpretation – can be overcomed by using different
methods.

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Disadvantages of Geophysical methods

 The bad news is that the physical properties do not always clearly correlates
with geological classifications and do not necessarily easily translates into the
geological terms.

 The geophysics is a kind of proxy in our attempts to study the geological

structures. It does not “talk” to us in geological terms and we have to interpret
obtained physical parameters in a geological sense. The successful
interpretation is based on experiences of an interpreter and on the a priori
 knowledge of the geological environment studied.

 Geophysical surveying, and ambiguities or uncertainties of interpretation – can

be overcomed by using different methods.
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Geophysics and geology
Adv of geophysics
Compare with geology
it is able to image hidden structures and
geological mapping we can study the
features inaccessible to direct observation
outcrops and, if lucky, have also a
and inspection few trenches or boreholes. There we
measurements on the surface we can deduce have just a surface situation and we
what is in the depth. can only guess how the surface
structures continues to the depth
we can measure on traverses or even make a
grid and hence obtain a profile view, map or
even a 3d image of a subsurface.
provides a relatively rapid and cost-effective
means of deriving areally distributed
information on subsurface geology
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 Geophysics in Mining

 Geophysical methods have great potential to solve various mining

related problems. Due to their non-destructive nature and quick
application, using these methods results in huge savings in terms of
time and money.
 Newer deposits are deeper and exploring those using conventional
means of drilling is becoming increasing expensive and time consuming.
 Geophysical methods are also being routinely used as a reconnaissance
tool to quickly determine potential of a new site before getting into
lease agreements.

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Geophysical surveying does not dispense with the need for drilling but, properly applied, it can optimize
exploration programmes by maximizing the rate of ground coverage and minimizing the drilling requirement.

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The survey methods

A wide range of geophysical surveying methods exists, for each of which there is
an ‘operative’ physical property to which the method is sensitive.

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The survey methods

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Geophysical methods. summary

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Passive/ natural Active / Artificial
natural field methods can provide are capable of producing a more
information on Earth properties
detailed and better resolved picture
to significantly greater depths and are of the subsurface geology.
logistically more simple to carry out
than artificial source methods.

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 Active methodThe survey methodss

-use man-made source for signal/injection of a signal to the earth then

measure the earth response

Seismic method ie use of dynamite to generate signal

E.M. Method use man-made source of current

Passive methods

-Use natural source for signal/natural properties of the earth

Gravity we use the earths gravitational field,

Magnetic method we use the earths magnetic field
and Radioactivity
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 •
Summary of applications

The type of physical property to which a

methodresponds clearly determines its
range of applications.

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 Notes on application of Geopysical methods

The only necessary condition is that the target structure must differ in some of the physical properties
from its surroundings

Geophysical methods are often used in combination - reconnaissance surveys

Eg search for metalliferous mineral deposits initial utilizes airborne magnetic and electromagnetic
surveying.
Adva. At the interpretation stage, ambiguity arising from the results of one survey
method may often be removed by consideration of
results from a second survey method.

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 Notes and terms
In geophysical survey methods it is the local variation in a measured parameter, relative to some normal
background value, that is of primary interest. Such variation is attributable to a localized subsurface zone of
distinctive physical property and possible geological importance.
A local variation of this type is known as a geophysical anomaly.
Example Gravity method.
Salt domes are emplaced when a buried salt layer, because of its low density and ability to flow, rises
through overlying denser strata in a series of approximately cylindrical bodies. A salt dome has physical
properties that are different from the surrounding sediments and which enable its
detection by geophysical methods.
These properties are:
(1) a relatively low density; (2) a negative magnetic susceptibility;
(3) a relatively high propagation velocity for
seismic waves; and (4) a high electrical resistivity (specific
resistance).

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 ambiguity in geophysical interpretation

a direct problem, -

direct problems are theoretically capable of unambiguous solution,

Inverse problem - to deduce some aspect of the Earth’s internal structure on the basis of geophysical
measurements taken at (or near to) the Earth’s surface.

The problem of The problem of ambiguity in

geophysical interpretation in geophysical interpretation ambiguity arises because many different geological
configurations could reproduce the observed measurements. This basic limitation results from the unavoidable
fact that geophysical surveying attempts to solve a difficult inverse problem.

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 PLATE TECTONICS

HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE

ENSEMBLE OF EVIDENCE
SUPPORTING PLATE
TECTONICS

CONSISTENCY OF PLATE
TECTONICS WITH WHOLE
EARTH GEOPHYSICS

10/14/2021
 THEORY OF PLATE
TECTONICS

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