Topic outline

  • Basics in Geophysical Surveying

    Credits: 5 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Geophysical surveying is an applied branch of geophysics, which uses seismic, gravitational, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic physical methodologies at the Earth’s surface to measure the physical properties of the subsurface.

    Geophysical surveying methods generally measure these geophysical properties along with anomalies in order to evaluate various subsurface conditions such as the existence of groundwater, bedrock, minerals, oil and gas, geothermal resources, voids and cavities, and much more.

    Topics:

    • Geophysical properties
    • Exploration, engineering & environmental geophysics
    • Types of geophysical surveys
    • Seismology, reflection seismology, seismic refraction, seismic tomography
    • Seismoelectrical method
    • Geodesy and gravitational surveys: gravity anomaly, gravimetry, gravity gradiometry
    • Magnetic surveying: magnetometers, aeromagnetic survey, magnetotellurics
    • (GPR) ground penetrating radar
    • (TEM/TDEM) transient time-domain electromagnetics
    • (MRS) magnetic resonance sounding
    • Electrical resistivity tomography, (IP) Induced Polarization, (SP) Spontaneous Potential
    • Borehole Geophysics (well logging), and remote sensing
    • Geological analysis, UXO locating, hydrogeological applications
    • Oil, mining, mineral exploration
    • Environmental, geothermal, and marine applications
    • Geotechnical engineering
    • Dam and levee integrity studies
    • Landfill boundaries, contaminant plumes, USTs, cavities and voids, archaeology

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)

    Enroll in this course

    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Petroleum, Geotechnical, Civil, Environmental, Water Resources, and other engineers whose job description requires a general knowledge of geophysical surveying principles and applications.
    Publication Source: Original Courseware by Donald W. Parnell, PE

    Donald Parnell, PE

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