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Geophysical Research and Development

Completed
By Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center October 25, 2019

The Geophysical Research and Development Project supported the development of new and existing geophysical techniques for addressing critical geological problems. Research conducted under this project included development of needed geophysical methods and software, development of new geophysical instrumentation, and applications of geophysical techniques to frontier areas of geology.

Science Issue and Relevance

Many projects within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) use geophysics as a tool for studying buried or concealed geologic features. The availability of modern geophysical instrumentation and data interpretation software is often critical to the success of these projects. However, most projects using geophysics lack the resources to evaluate, purchase, maintain, and provide training for geophysical equipment and software. In addition, the development of any new geophysical technology is a risky, long-term activity, that is well beyond the scope of most individual projects.

Methods to Address Issue

The Geophysical Research and Development Project ran from 1996 to 2012 and provided the geophysical equipment and software tools USGS projects needed. The Project strived to anticipate and develop new geophysical technologies that the Survey would need within the next several years and supported the development of new and existing geophysical techniques to address critical geological problems.

Research conducted under this project includes development of needed geophysical methods and software, development of new geophysical instrumentation, and applications of geophysical techniques to frontier areas of geology. 

Technologies supported and developed fell within the general categories of geoelectrical methods, potential-field methods, and gamma-ray methods. These methods permitted geophysical investigations at a broad range of scales from national and regional scales to local and site characterization scales, and at a range of depths from a few centimeters to tens of kilometers.

Supported geophysical methods include potential-field methods (gravity and magnetics), electrical methods (DC resistivity, induced polarization, and self-potential), electromagnetic methods (magnetotellurics (MT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), directional borehole radar, time-domain EM, and frequency-domain EM), shallow seismic methods (reflection, refraction, and surface-to-borehole), and gamma-ray geophysics.

 

Return to Mineral Resources Program | Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
project flowchart

Interdisciplinary Methods and Applications in Geophysics (IMAGe)

The project focuses on the development of novel geophysical techniques that improve our ability to understand Earth's subsurface, with broad relevance to the Mineral Resources Program and the USGS Science Strategy. Our goal is to develop and maintain state-of-the art geophysical capabilities that support the diverse science needs of USGS projects that aim to meet the challenges of the 21st century...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Interdisciplinary Methods and Applications in Geophysics (IMAGe)

The project focuses on the development of novel geophysical techniques that improve our ability to understand Earth's subsurface, with broad relevance to the Mineral Resources Program and the USGS Science Strategy. Our goal is to develop and maintain state-of-the art geophysical capabilities that support the diverse science needs of USGS projects that aim to meet the challenges of the 21st century...
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 82

The use of curvature in potential-field interpretation

Potential-field anomalies can be transformed into special functions that form peaks and ridges over isolated sources. All special functions have a common mathematical form over an isolated source, which leads to a common equation for estimating the source depth from the peak value and the curvature at the peak. Model-specific special functions, usually calculated from a transformed...
Authors
Jeffrey Phillips, R. O. Hansen, Richard J. Blakely
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Magnetotelluric Data, Southern San Luis Valley, Colorado

Introduction The population of the San Luis Valley region is growing rapidly. The shallow unconfined and the deeper confined Santa Fe Group aquifer in the San Luis Basin is the main sources of municipal water for the region. Water shortfalls could have serious consequences. Future growth and land management in the region depend on accurate assessment and protection of the region's ground...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Brian D. Rodriguez

Geosoft eXecutables (GX's) Developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Version 2.0, with Notes on GX Development from Fortran Code

Introduction Geosoft executables (GX's) are custom software modules for use with the Geosoft Oasis montaj geophysical data processing system, which currently runs under the Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP operating systems. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses Oasis montaj primarily for the processing and display of airborne geophysical data. The ability to add custom software modules to...
Authors
Jeffrey D. Phillips

Magnetotelluric Data, Mid Valley, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Introduction The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at their Nevada Site Office (NSO) are addressing ground-water contamination resulting from historical underground nuclear testing through the Environmental Management (EM) program and, in particular, the Underground Test Area (UGTA) project. One issue of concern is the nature...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Erin L. Wallin, Brian D. Rodriguez, Charles R. Lindsey, Jay A. Sampson

Questa Baseline and Pre-Mining Ground-Water Quality Investigation. 24. Seismic Refraction Tomography for Volume Analysis of Saturated Alluvium in the Straight Creek Drainage and Its Confluence With Red River, Taos County, New Mexico

As part of a research effort directed by the New Mexico Environment Department to determine pre-mining water quality of the Red River at a molybdenum mining site in northern New Mexico, we used seismic refraction tomography to create subsurface compressional-wave velocity images along six lines that crossed the Straight Creek drainage and three that crossed the valley of Red River. Field...
Authors
Michael H. Powers, Bethany L. Burton
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of rock alteration and water content at Mount Adams, Washington: Implications for lahar hazards

[1] Hydrothermally altered rocks, particularly if water saturated, can weaken stratovolcanoes, thereby increasing the potential for catastrophic sector collapses that can lead to far-traveled, destructive debris flows. Evaluating the hazards associated with such alteration is difficult because alteration has been mapped on few active volcanoes and the distribution and intensity of...
Authors
C. A. Finn, M. Deszcz-Pan, E. D. Anderson, D. A. John
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Deep Resistivity Structure of Rainier Mesa-Shoshone Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

No abstract available.
Authors
Theodore H. Asch, Brian D. Rodriguez, Jay A. Sampson, Jackie M. Williams, Maryla Deszcz-Pan

Magnetotelluric Data, Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Introduction: The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at their Nevada Site Office (NSO) are addressing ground-water contamination resulting from historical underground nuclear testing through the Environmental Management (EM) program and, in particular, the Underground Test Area (UGTA) project. During 2005, the U.S. Geological...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Jay A. Sampson, Brian D. Rodriguez, Theodore H. Asch

Characterization of near-surface geology and possible voids using resistivity and electromagnetic methods at the Gran Quivira Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, central New Mexico, June 2005

At the Gran Quivira Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in central New Mexico, a partially excavated pueblo known as Mound 7 has recently become architecturally unstable. Historical National Park Service records indicate both natural caves and artificial tunnels may be present in the area. Knowledge of the local near-surface geology and possible locations of voids would aid...
Authors
Lyndsay B. Ball, Jeffrey E. Lucius, Lewis A. Land, Andrew Teeple
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Deep resistivity structure of Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at their Nevada Site Office are addressing groundwater contamination resulting from historical underground nuclear testing through the Environmental Management program and, in particular, the Underground Test Area project. One issue of concern is the nature of the somewhat poorly constrained pre...
Authors
Theodore H. Asch, Brian D. Rodriguez, Jay A. Sampson, Erin L. Wallin, Jackie M. Williams

Aeromagnetic and gravity data over the Central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), Antarctica: a website for the distribution of data and maps

Near complete coverage of the East Antarctic Shield by ice hampers geological study of crustal architecture important for understanding global tectonic and climate history. Limited exposures in the central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), however, show that Archean and Proterozoic rocks of the shield as well as Neoproterozoic-lower Paleozoic sedimentary successions were involved in...
Authors
E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn, D. Damaske, J.D. Abraham, F. Goldmann, J. W. Goodge, P. Braddock

Magnetotelluric survey to locate the Archean/Proterozoic suture zone north of Wells, Nevada

It is important to know whether major mining districts in the Northern Nevada Gold Province are underlain by rocks of the Archean Wyoming craton, which are known to contain orogenic gold deposits, or by accreted rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Mojave province. It is also important to know the location and orientation of the Archean/Proterozoic suture zone between these provinces as well as...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Brian D. Rodriguez

The Geophysical Research and Development Project supported the development of new and existing geophysical techniques for addressing critical geological problems. Research conducted under this project included development of needed geophysical methods and software, development of new geophysical instrumentation, and applications of geophysical techniques to frontier areas of geology.

Science Issue and Relevance

Many projects within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) use geophysics as a tool for studying buried or concealed geologic features. The availability of modern geophysical instrumentation and data interpretation software is often critical to the success of these projects. However, most projects using geophysics lack the resources to evaluate, purchase, maintain, and provide training for geophysical equipment and software. In addition, the development of any new geophysical technology is a risky, long-term activity, that is well beyond the scope of most individual projects.

Methods to Address Issue

The Geophysical Research and Development Project ran from 1996 to 2012 and provided the geophysical equipment and software tools USGS projects needed. The Project strived to anticipate and develop new geophysical technologies that the Survey would need within the next several years and supported the development of new and existing geophysical techniques to address critical geological problems.

Research conducted under this project includes development of needed geophysical methods and software, development of new geophysical instrumentation, and applications of geophysical techniques to frontier areas of geology. 

Technologies supported and developed fell within the general categories of geoelectrical methods, potential-field methods, and gamma-ray methods. These methods permitted geophysical investigations at a broad range of scales from national and regional scales to local and site characterization scales, and at a range of depths from a few centimeters to tens of kilometers.

Supported geophysical methods include potential-field methods (gravity and magnetics), electrical methods (DC resistivity, induced polarization, and self-potential), electromagnetic methods (magnetotellurics (MT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), directional borehole radar, time-domain EM, and frequency-domain EM), shallow seismic methods (reflection, refraction, and surface-to-borehole), and gamma-ray geophysics.

 

Return to Mineral Resources Program | Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
project flowchart

Interdisciplinary Methods and Applications in Geophysics (IMAGe)

The project focuses on the development of novel geophysical techniques that improve our ability to understand Earth's subsurface, with broad relevance to the Mineral Resources Program and the USGS Science Strategy. Our goal is to develop and maintain state-of-the art geophysical capabilities that support the diverse science needs of USGS projects that aim to meet the challenges of the 21st century...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
link

Interdisciplinary Methods and Applications in Geophysics (IMAGe)

The project focuses on the development of novel geophysical techniques that improve our ability to understand Earth's subsurface, with broad relevance to the Mineral Resources Program and the USGS Science Strategy. Our goal is to develop and maintain state-of-the art geophysical capabilities that support the diverse science needs of USGS projects that aim to meet the challenges of the 21st century...
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 82

The use of curvature in potential-field interpretation

Potential-field anomalies can be transformed into special functions that form peaks and ridges over isolated sources. All special functions have a common mathematical form over an isolated source, which leads to a common equation for estimating the source depth from the peak value and the curvature at the peak. Model-specific special functions, usually calculated from a transformed...
Authors
Jeffrey Phillips, R. O. Hansen, Richard J. Blakely
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Magnetotelluric Data, Southern San Luis Valley, Colorado

Introduction The population of the San Luis Valley region is growing rapidly. The shallow unconfined and the deeper confined Santa Fe Group aquifer in the San Luis Basin is the main sources of municipal water for the region. Water shortfalls could have serious consequences. Future growth and land management in the region depend on accurate assessment and protection of the region's ground...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Brian D. Rodriguez

Geosoft eXecutables (GX's) Developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Version 2.0, with Notes on GX Development from Fortran Code

Introduction Geosoft executables (GX's) are custom software modules for use with the Geosoft Oasis montaj geophysical data processing system, which currently runs under the Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP operating systems. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses Oasis montaj primarily for the processing and display of airborne geophysical data. The ability to add custom software modules to...
Authors
Jeffrey D. Phillips

Magnetotelluric Data, Mid Valley, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Introduction The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at their Nevada Site Office (NSO) are addressing ground-water contamination resulting from historical underground nuclear testing through the Environmental Management (EM) program and, in particular, the Underground Test Area (UGTA) project. One issue of concern is the nature...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Erin L. Wallin, Brian D. Rodriguez, Charles R. Lindsey, Jay A. Sampson

Questa Baseline and Pre-Mining Ground-Water Quality Investigation. 24. Seismic Refraction Tomography for Volume Analysis of Saturated Alluvium in the Straight Creek Drainage and Its Confluence With Red River, Taos County, New Mexico

As part of a research effort directed by the New Mexico Environment Department to determine pre-mining water quality of the Red River at a molybdenum mining site in northern New Mexico, we used seismic refraction tomography to create subsurface compressional-wave velocity images along six lines that crossed the Straight Creek drainage and three that crossed the valley of Red River. Field...
Authors
Michael H. Powers, Bethany L. Burton
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of rock alteration and water content at Mount Adams, Washington: Implications for lahar hazards

[1] Hydrothermally altered rocks, particularly if water saturated, can weaken stratovolcanoes, thereby increasing the potential for catastrophic sector collapses that can lead to far-traveled, destructive debris flows. Evaluating the hazards associated with such alteration is difficult because alteration has been mapped on few active volcanoes and the distribution and intensity of...
Authors
C. A. Finn, M. Deszcz-Pan, E. D. Anderson, D. A. John
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center

Deep Resistivity Structure of Rainier Mesa-Shoshone Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

No abstract available.
Authors
Theodore H. Asch, Brian D. Rodriguez, Jay A. Sampson, Jackie M. Williams, Maryla Deszcz-Pan

Magnetotelluric Data, Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

Introduction: The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at their Nevada Site Office (NSO) are addressing ground-water contamination resulting from historical underground nuclear testing through the Environmental Management (EM) program and, in particular, the Underground Test Area (UGTA) project. During 2005, the U.S. Geological...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Jay A. Sampson, Brian D. Rodriguez, Theodore H. Asch

Characterization of near-surface geology and possible voids using resistivity and electromagnetic methods at the Gran Quivira Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, central New Mexico, June 2005

At the Gran Quivira Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in central New Mexico, a partially excavated pueblo known as Mound 7 has recently become architecturally unstable. Historical National Park Service records indicate both natural caves and artificial tunnels may be present in the area. Knowledge of the local near-surface geology and possible locations of voids would aid...
Authors
Lyndsay B. Ball, Jeffrey E. Lucius, Lewis A. Land, Andrew Teeple
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Deep resistivity structure of Yucca Flat, Nevada Test Site, Nevada

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at their Nevada Site Office are addressing groundwater contamination resulting from historical underground nuclear testing through the Environmental Management program and, in particular, the Underground Test Area project. One issue of concern is the nature of the somewhat poorly constrained pre...
Authors
Theodore H. Asch, Brian D. Rodriguez, Jay A. Sampson, Erin L. Wallin, Jackie M. Williams

Aeromagnetic and gravity data over the Central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), Antarctica: a website for the distribution of data and maps

Near complete coverage of the East Antarctic Shield by ice hampers geological study of crustal architecture important for understanding global tectonic and climate history. Limited exposures in the central Transantarctic Mountains (CTAM), however, show that Archean and Proterozoic rocks of the shield as well as Neoproterozoic-lower Paleozoic sedimentary successions were involved in...
Authors
E. D. Anderson, C. A. Finn, D. Damaske, J.D. Abraham, F. Goldmann, J. W. Goodge, P. Braddock

Magnetotelluric survey to locate the Archean/Proterozoic suture zone north of Wells, Nevada

It is important to know whether major mining districts in the Northern Nevada Gold Province are underlain by rocks of the Archean Wyoming craton, which are known to contain orogenic gold deposits, or by accreted rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Mojave province. It is also important to know the location and orientation of the Archean/Proterozoic suture zone between these provinces as well as...
Authors
Jackie M. Williams, Brian D. Rodriguez
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