Geophysical Methods
Code: 101034Credits: 7
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Geology | OB | 3 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Mario Zarroca Hernandez
- Email :
- mario.zarroca.hernandez@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Mario Zarroca Hernandez
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Although there are no official prerequisites, it is advisable for the student to review the Physics's fundamentals. Significant part of the suporting material provided to the student will be in English.
Objectives
The main objective is to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge about Geophysical Surveying, with special emphasis on Research - Exploration applied to the resolution of diverse geological problems, relating the knowledge acquired in the Geophysical Methods' matter with the other subjects of the degree in Geology.
As specific objectives, the student is expected to acquire skills in:
- The use of surveying instruments and geophysical data processing techniques.
- The integration of diverse disciplines in a multidisciplinary research where the geophysical methods are key for its development.
- The application of the knowledge acquired to solve simple geological problems.
- The organization and planning of tasks as well as the development of interpersonal skills that allow students working as a team.
- Defend in the classroom the works developed as a team.
- Know how to face oral and written tests.
Learning outcomes
- CM21 (Prepare technical reports based on the data obtained through geophysical exploration techniques and instruments, to identify subsoil materials.) Prepare technical reports based on the data obtained through geophysical exploration techniques and instruments, to identify subsoil materials.
- CM22 (Identify, from an ethical and professional perspective, situations of sex/gender-based inequality in the development of geological projects, proposing effective measures to address them.) Identify, from an ethical and professional perspective, situations of sex/gender-based inequality in the development of geological projects, proposing effective measures to address them.
- KM28 (Describe the physical and chemical principles involved in the geological processes of rock and mineral formation.) Describe the physical and chemical principles involved in the geological processes of rock and mineral formation.
- KM29 (Differentiate the fields of action of geochemistry and geophysics in the resolution of geological problems.) Differentiate the fields of action of geochemistry and geophysics in the resolution of geological problems.
- KM30 (Identify the main techniques and instruments used in geophysical surveys and geochemical analyses.) Identify the main techniques and instruments used in geophysical surveys and geochemical analyses.
- SM25 (Apply the knowledge acquired to solve theoretical or practical problems related to the management of the territory or natural resources.) Apply the knowledge acquired to solve theoretical or practical problems related to the management of the territory or natural resources.
- SM26 (Evaluate the economic viability of the exploitation of geological resources through geophysical exploration and/or geochemical analysis.) Evaluate the economic viability of the exploitation of geological resources through geophysical exploration and/or geochemical analysis.
Contents
Gravimetric methods
Earth's gravity. Isostasy. Gravimetric surveying.
Geomagnetic methods
Geomagnetic field. Geomagnetic surveying.
Geoelectric methods
Electrical conductivity of rocks. Electric geophysical surveying in direct current (DC). Self-potential (SP). Vertical electrical sounding (VES). Resistivity profiling. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Induced polarization (IP).
Seismic methods
Seismic waves. Elastic constants of rocks. Seismic geophysical surveying. Refraction and seismic refraction tomography (SRT). Reflection.
Electromagnetic methods
Electromagnetic geophysical surveying. Surveying in the frequency domain (FDEM). Surveying in the time domain (TDEM). Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial activities for practical work | 8 | 0.32 | |
| Master classes | 30 | 1.2 | |
| Field work | 7 | 0.28 | |
| Tutorial activities in the classroom | 3.25 | 0.13 | |
| Lab practices | 22 | 0.88 | |
| Cases study, problem solving, and reporting of practices | 90 | 3.6 |
Master classes
Theoretical fundamentals will be transmitted mainly in the classroom during master classes, with support of ICT and debates in a large group. Apart from the selected bibliography, students will be provided with diversified material to follow-up of classes’ contents. These support materials will be available for students on the virtual campus and the Sciences Faculty libraries. Significant part of these materials will be in English. Additional virtual-access supporting materials, to those in the bibliography included in this guide, will be proposed during the course.
The theoretical concepts acquired by the students will be evaluated through written tests.
Lab practices
Theoretical fundamentals will be applied to analyze cases studies and solving of basic geophysical problems. Geophysical data will be processed by using analogical and numerical techniques, spreadsheets and specific geophysical processing software. The necessary material for the realization of the practices will be, millimeter paper, logarithmic double paper (62.5 mm), desk material and basic calculator. Timely it will be necessary for students to bring their own laptop. It will not be indispensable but it is very recommended that each student can have their own laptop (windows OS based).
Field practices and collective work
Practical work will focus mainly on acquiring a field work methodology for the implementation of geophysical surveying campaigns.
During the field work day, the student must acquire a transversal and systemic knowledge of various problems in the acquisition of data and validation of data in the field. The tasks will be carried out collectively.
The student practical skills will be evaluated by means of an oral defense of the results obtained by means of the team work. Such work will consist of a proposal for the implementation of a geophysical surveying, designed by the students to solve a specific geophysical problem raised by the students.
The activities will be supported through tutorial in the classroom and at the teacher's office.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partial tests and remedial exam | 60 | 5.25 | 0.21 | KM28, KM29, KM30, SM26 |
| Lab practices and collective work (reduced group) | 40 | 9.5 | 0.38 | CM21, CM22, KM29, KM30, SM25, SM26 |
Individual evaluation (80% of final grade):
In this part, the scientific-technical concepts reached by the students are evaluated individually, as well as their analysis and synthesis, and critical reasoning skills.
The evaluation of the theoretical contents is carried out through 2 written tests that are made throughout the course. The contents of each will be eliminatory (the subsequent tests do not include the contents of the previous ones). The qualification of this part is the sum of the 2 written tests (P1 - 30%, P2 - 30%) = 60%.
The other 20% remaining until completing 80% of the overall grade will correspond to resolution of practical exercices.
The qualification obtained in this individual evaluation will represent 80% of the final grade of the matter.
Collective evaluation (20% of the final grade):
In this part, the work carried out by reduced groups (geophysical surveying implementation proposal) is evaluated.
The grade obtained in this collective evaluation represents 20% of the final grade of the matter.
The non-presented:
It will be considered that a student will obtain the grade of No Presented if the evaluation of all the evaluation activities does not allow him to reach the global grade of 5, in the supposition that he/she had reached the maximum grade in all of them.
Remedial exam:
Final exam to remedial the theoretical contents of the subject evaluated to P1 and P2.
Attendance:
The attendance to the theoretical classes and laboratory practices is mandatory. Unjustified nonattendance exceeding 25% rules out the student to attend the partial and final exams.
Attendance at field trips is restricted to those students who have achieved minimal attendance at theoretical classes and lab practices equal or exceeding 75%.
Single evaluation:
The students taking advantageof the single evaluation must carry out the laboratory practices (PLAB) in person, must deliver the mandatory exercises, and must obtain a minimum grade of 5 points out of 10. PLAB grade will be weighted as 30% of the total grade. Attendance at the Field practice (PCAM) will also be mandatory.
The single assessment consists of a single synthesis test (with multiple choice questions and problems), on the contents of the entire theory and practice program of the subject. The grade obtained in the theoretical synthesis test will be 35% and problems 35% of the total final grade.
The single assessment test will be done coinciding with the same date scheduled for the last continuous assessment test and the same reevaluation system will be applied as for the continuous assessment.
It is necessary to obtain a minimum final grade of 5 points out of 10 in each of the parts (synthesis test, PLAB).
Bibliography
Geophysics fundamentals:
LOWRIE, W., 1997, Fundamentals of geophysics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
UDÍAS, A. & MEZCUA, Julio, 1.997, Fundamentos de Geofísica (2a Ed.). Alianza. Universidad, Madrid.
Geophysical surveying:
GIBSON, P.J., GEORGE, D.M., 2013, Environmental applications of geophysical surveying techniques. Nova Science Publishers Inc. New York.
REYNOLDS, J.M., 2011, An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex.
MILSON, J. J., ERIKSEN, A., 2011, Field Geophysics, Edition 4. Volume 33 of Geological Field Guide, Wiley, West Sussex, UK.
Geophysical numerical problems:
BUFORN, E., et al., 2010, Problemas Resueltos de Geofísica. Ed. Pearson, Madrid.
Software
The software required to carry out the practical work will be provided to the student. This software will be OS Windows based, so students with other operating systems are recommended to install a Windows OS emulator on their laptops.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 2 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 2 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |