solid earth geophysics : Is the use of physics to study the interior of the Earth, from land surface to the inner core.
Solid Earth Geophysics can be subdivided into Global Geophysics (Pure Geophysics) and Applied Geophysics.
1: Global Geophysics is the study of the whole or substantial parts of the planet.
2: Applied Geophysics is the study of the Earth's crust and near surface to achieve an economic aim.
Applied Geophysics can Comprises the following subjects:
1. Determination of the thickness of the crust (which is important in hydrocarbon exploration).
2. Study of shallow structures for engineering site investigations.
3. Exploration for groundwater and for minerals and other economic resources.
4. Trying to locate narrow mine shafts or other forms of buried cavities.
5. The mapping of archaeological remains.
6. Locating buried pipes and cables
subfields of applied geophysics
Hydro - Geophysics: It involves the use of geophysical methods such as ERT, Magnetics, EM, seismics in study and address issues related to hydrogeology including groundwater exploration and contamination.
Archaeo - Geophysics: This involves the use of geophysical methods such as Magnetics, EM in mapping / location of archaeological (old ) remains.Such as artifacts, Pots, human remains ( in grave yards)
Exploration Geophysics: It includes the searching and locating of valuable natural resources such as Oil and Natural gas, groundwater, mineral deposits, coal to attain an economic aim through the application of geophysical techniques. Such as Magnetics, EM, Seismic reflection, Gravity, Electrical methods.
Engineering Geophysics: It involves investigation of subsurface characteristics to support engineering construction of buildings, Highways, tunnels, dams through the use of geophysical techniques such as Electrical Resistivity, GPR, seismic refraction.
Mining Geophysics: Is the application of geophysical methods such as Electrical Resistivity, EM, Magnetics in searching for new mineral deposits, or in supporting mine design and planning.
Glacio - Geophysics (Glaciology Geophysics): Is the application of geophysical methods such as magnetics, gravity, Temperature logging, seismics to support studies of physical characteristics of glaciers such as movements (dynamics), temperature, thickness, mass balance.
Environmental Geophysics: It involves use of geophysical methods in studies and providing solutions on environmental issues such contamination, pollution. hazards that occur in the environment.
It can be implemented through three (3) approaches such as
- Field work
- Laboratory studies and
- Theoretical Modeling.
It has a very wide scope that may comprise any of the above subfields.
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The diagram below, simplifies the above subfields in a hierarchical pattern.
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