10796 - Geophysics Lab-based Course

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will possess technical and practical know-how on the main experimental methods of investigation used in Geophysics. Particularly, students will be able: - to interpret seismic traces and locate seismic events; to carry out shallow subsurface seismic prospecting based on seismic reflection and refraction waves; - to perform geo-electrical soundings 

 

Course contents

General review of the most common methods used in Experimental Geophysics to explore the inner of the Earth on a global and local scale, with special treatment of the techniques of Seismology and Environmental Geophysics. Sensors, instruments, stations and networks. Monitoring networks. Data acquisition and transmission. Seismometers and accelerometers. Interpretation of seismograms. Earthquake location. High-resolution seismic and geo-electrical prospecting. Laboratory tests: calibration of a seismometer (determination of instrumental constants); interpretation of seismograms (first arrivals and seismic phases); hypocentral determination. Experiments in the field: acquisition and processing of data from seismic and electrical resistivity.

Readings/Bibliography

Overheads and lecture notes. Dieter Vogelsang, Environmental Geophysics - A practical guide,Springer Verlag. Enzo Boschi and Michele Dragoni, Sismologia, UTET. H. Robert Burger, Exploration Geophysics of the Shallow Subsurface, Prentice Hall. John M. Reynolds, An introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, John Wiley & Sons. Alan E.Mussett and M.Aftab Kahn, Esplorazione del sottosuolo, Zanichelli.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures and experiments carried out in the laboratory and in the field

Assessment methods

The final test consists of an oral examination concerning theory as well as the experimental tests carried out in the laboratory and in the field

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, laboratory

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Tinti