Electrical and Radiometric Exploration Methods (GEOL-482)

DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the course is to introduce various aspects of electrical and radiometric exploration methods and familiarize the student with them. The course is emphasizing the physical concepts of each method. A conceptual review of the governing laws of electrical and radiometric exploration methods will be provided. The course is intended to be a practical, hands-on, field-oriented course on the applications of electrical and radiometric exploration methods to these problems. For each topic, the development will proceed from basic principles (theory) through methodology and applications, to case histories. Applications will be emphasized; theory will be kept to essentials. The basic principles and operational procedures of each method will be presented, along with discussions of where the method is and is not applicable. Case histories will be included to illustrate applications.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the physical principles underpinning electrical and radiometric exploration methods. Critically evaluate these techniques, acquisition procedures, and survey designs for various subsurface targets. Process and analyses collected geophysical data. Employ appropriate modeling methodologies, and evaluate strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Infer physical properties at depth and formulate geological interpretations from those properties.

COURSE CONTENTS

Fundamentals of current flow in the earth; electrode arrangements and field procedures; instruments; processing and interpretation of resistivity data; field procedure, data acquisition and interpretation of self-potential, induced polarization and electromagnetic methods; study of case histories.

Physical principles and basic theory; radioactivity of rocks; radioactive dating methods; field surveys and instruments; data processing and interpretation; application of radiometric methods in exploration of minerals and energy resources.

READINGS

1. Reynolds, J. M. (2011). An introduction to applied and environmental geophysics. John Wiley & Sons.

2. Everett, M. E. (2013). Near-surface applied geophysics. New York: Cambridge University Press.

3. Telford, W. M., Telford, W. M., Geldart, L. P., Sheriff, R. E., & Sheriff, R. E. (2012). Applied geophysics. Cambridge university press.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week	Topics and Readings	Books with Page No.
1	Fundamentals of current flow in the earth	Book 1 Pages 418-424 Book 2 Pages 70-72
2	Electrode arrangements and field procedures	Book 1 Pages 427-433
3	Instruments; processing and interpretation of resistivity data	Book 1 Pages 441-453 Book 2 Pages 87-99
4	Resistivity data acquisition and processing;	Book 1 Pages 465-482 Book 2 Pages 99-103
5	Self-potential method and field procedure	Book 1 Pages 491-500 Book 2 Pages 114-119
6	Self-potential method data acquisition and interpretation	Book 1 Pages 501-516 Book 2 Pages 120-124
7	Self-potential method data interpretation and applications	Book 2 Pages 120-124
8	Induced Polarization method and field procedure	Book 1 Pages 522-531 Book 2 Pages 104-108
9	Induced Polarization method data acquisition and interpretation	Book 1 Pages 533-550
10	Induced Polarization method data interpretation and applications	Book 2 Pages 109-113
11	Electromagnetic methods and field procedure	Book 1 Pages 555-571 Book 2 Pages 200-219
12	Electromagnetic methods data acquisition	Book 1 Pages 572-581 Book 2 Pages 224-233
13	Electromagnetic methods data interpretation	Book 1 Pages 630-652 Book 2 Pages 234-238
14	Physical principles and basic theory, Radioactivity of rocks; radioactive dating methods	Book 3 Pages 611-620
15	Field surveys and instruments; Data processing and interpretation	Book 3 Pages 621-633
16	Application of radiometric methods in exploration of minerals and energy resources	Book 3 Pages 634-643