GEOPH 224: Geophysical Exploration Techniques

Instructor: Dr. Jeff Gu office: CCIS 3-107

email: ygu@ualberta.ca

phone: (780) 492–2292

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Who? Me?

*Regional crustal seismology *Natural and induced earthquakes *Computations, ultrasound imaging

taken from movie shot of ‘Taxi’Has taught: Physics 144, 234 Geoph 224, 421, 426, 499, 624

What is GEOPH 224 about?

• an overview of three key geophysical techniques that are used to determine the subsurface structure of the Earth (up to ~50 km depth)

- seismic (reflection/refraction), gravity, magnetics

• we will primarily focus on using geophysics in exploration studies:

- hydrocarbons, minerals (ore), diamonds

- with some tectonics studies (GEOPH 210 for more)

and environmental / geotechnical applications (GEOPH 223 for more)

• for each technique, the emphasis will be on:

• the physical basis

- what is being measured and why

• the practical application - data collection ! data processing ! geological interpretation

- what are the advantages and limitations of each technique?

Logistics

Course web-page:

https://www.ualberta.ca/ygu/courses/geoph224

• lecture notes (usually before class), assignments, labs, old exams

• paper copies of assignments and lab instructions will be provided

Office hours:

• Nothing formal

• or make an appointment (talk to me after class, drop by my office, email)

NOTE: TAs is best for homework related problems

Teaching assistants:

• Ryan Borowiecki (borowiec@ualberta.ca)

• Address: CCIS Room 3-086

Course Schedule

Lectures: Monday Wednesday Friday 10:00-10:50 V Wing 103

Labs: Mondays 14:00–16:50 CCIS L1-150 ***labs are mandatory – ONLY attend the lab section in which you are registered ****

Mid-term exam: Data NA Classroom

Final exam: N/A

Pre-requisites

• one of MATH 101, 115 or 118

• one of PHYS 126, 146 or EN PH 131

- SCI 100 can be used in lieu of MATH 115 and PHYS 126 or 146

• this course is not available for students in honours or specialization Physics or Geophysics

NOTE: You must either have the prerequisites or a “waiver of prerequisite” to receive credit for the course. See me regarding exemptions.

Course outline 1. Introduction (today)

2. Seismic exploration (~6 weeks)

3. Gravity exploration (~3 weeks)

4. Magnetic exploration (~3 weeks)

Strongly Recommended Textbook Introduction to applied geophysics: Exploring the shallow subsurface. H.R. Burger, A.F. Sheehan, and C.H. Jones, Prentice Hall, 2006. ISBN: 0-393-92637-0 (also used in GEOPH 223)

Other good books:

The Solid Earth (2nd edition) – Fowler (2004) (used in GEOPH 210)

An introduction to geophysical exploration (3rd edition) – Keary et al. (2002)

Grade evaluation

Labs: 16% (4 labs, 4% each) - only go to the section in which you have registered

Assignments: 16% (4 assignments, 4% each) - hand in at drop box - late assignments will be penalized at 15% per 24 hours (need to inform TA)

Midterm exam: 28% (mainly seismic)

Final exam: 40% (NA)

exams are closed book – an equation sheet will be provided

• bring a calculator to exams, classes and labs

• final grades will follow the UofA 4-point system. The mean grade is expected to be approximately 2.8-2.9 … I will monitor that.

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Many Thanks to

• for generous sharing of their teaching material

• many helpful advises and moral support

Prof. Claire Currie Prof. Vadim Kravchinsky