95942 - APPLIED GEOPHYSICS

Learning outcomes

At the end of the laboratory, the student: - knows the basic principles of the main geophysical exploration techniques (seismic, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic and gravimetric methods); - the application fields and limitations of each technique in respect to different environmental, geotechnical, subsoil exploitation and protection problems, at small and large scale.

Course contents

The course consists in 4 hour calsses where the basic theoretical and practical elements of the different geophysical exploration techniques are presented.

Lesson 1.Signal theory

Lesson 2. Elastic theory and seismic waves

Lesson 3. Seismic refraction

Lesson 4. Seismic reflection. In-hole techniques

Lesson 5. Surface wave methods (H/V)

Lesson 6. Surface wave methods (dispersion curves)

Lesson 7. Electrical method

Lesson 8.Gravity method

Lesson 9. Magnetic and electromagnetic methods

Lesson 10. Seismic hazard. Engineering seismology

Lesson 11. Exercises for those following the 6 CFU course

Lesson 12. Individual report review and discussion

Each exploration method will be introduced by means of laboratory experiments and field surveys.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested readings:

THE SOLID EARTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL GEOPHYSICS, C.M.R. Fowler, Cambridge University Press (2004, 2nd edition)

INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, Burger, Sheehan, Jones, Norton, 2006, 600 p. + CD

NEAR SURFACE APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, M.E. Everett, Cambridge, 2013, 400 p.

AN INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION, Kearey, Brooks, Hill, Blackwell Publ., 2002, 262 p.

I METODI GEOELETTRICO E SISMICO PER LE INDAGINI SUPERFICIALI DEL SOTTOSUOLO, Carrara, Rapolla, Roberti, Liguori ed., 2012, 295 p.

ESPLORAZIONE GEOFISICA DEL SOTTOSUOLO, Musset, Aftab Khan, Zanichelli, 2003, 420 p.

Teaching methods

Lessons, laboratory experiments and field surveys.

All lessons will be recorded and made available.

Laboratory and field surveys require the student to be physically present.

Assessment methods

For those following the 3 CFU course: the student selects 6 lessons out of the 12 available.

The student delivers the compulsory individual report. The final test is oral and consists in a discussion of the individual report + some elementary questions about the studies lessons.

For those following the 6 CFU course: The student delivers 3 indivudual reports on 3 selected geophysical exploration methods. 
The final exam is both written  (3 exercised) and oral.

Teaching tools

All lessons will be recorded and made available online.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Castellaro