GEOLOGY 4980/6980
ENVIRONMENTAL & ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICS
Dr. Don Stierman, Instructor
Autumn, 2000 

This course provides hands-on experience with geophysical instruments in real field settings where not even the instructor is absolutely certain what will be found precisely where. These are the same instruments used by the instructor to find underground leaks in landfills and buried well casings, and to delineate rusting underground storage tanks hidden under asphalt. Learn about some of the advantages (as well as limitations) of geophysical techniques.

Instruments include: GPS; Electronic Total Station; Geonics EM34-3XL; Geometrics G-856 magnetometer (with gradiometer option); Geometrics ES2415F Engineering Seismograph; Soiltest R-40 and R-60 resistivity systems.

Schedule: Lectures and demonstrations, Thursdays from 12:15 through 1:50. We will meet in Room 3045 BOL. Saturdays, 8 AM through 4 PM for field work, 8 AM through noon for data processing. Do not schedule critical appointments between 4 and 6 PM on field days. I intend to return around 4 PM but situations might arise that delay our return.

Notes links

Tentative Saturday schedule:

August 26: Magnetometer survey (field).
        Get copies of data here!

September 2: Magnetometer-related software: data processing and interpretation.
        Gradiometer data (Line numbers 44 through 53) are here.

September 9: Electrical resistivity (field).

September 16: Electromagnetic conductivity (field).

September 23: Data processing and interpretation, EM and resistivity.

September 30: Seismic refraction (field).

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October 7: Date processing and report writing.

October 12 (Thursday): Final reports due.

October 13: cookout for participants, final discussion at Dr.D.’s place.

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October 14: University of Toledo Homecoming (participation encouraged but not required).

Evaluation: Professional attitude in the field, lectures and during data processing, 25%; topical reports (4 minimum, 6 maximum), 50%; integrated final reports, 25%.

A professional:
    Arrives on time and ready to work
    Prepares for the job: appropriate clothing and other personal needs filled
    Helps with tasks that need doing
    Respects the rights and property of others
    Is a team player and tries to maintain a positive attitude
    Learns all relevant aspects of the job and instructs others as needed
    Protects the integrity of the data and the institution
    <subject to expansion if the need arises - I anticipate no need to do so.>

Resources: if you have a copy of Telford et al., supplementary reading is encouraged. I am posting notes on the Web that you can download and print if you wish.

Links to case histories (etc.)

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