Comparison of borehole geophysics, CPT, resistivity, GPR, and high‐resolution seismic data across a shallow structure in unconsolidated sediments

Abstract

The geological characterization of the shallow subsurface in the unconsolidated sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and other unconsolidated sediment regimes, may involve faulting and channeling not readily detectable by conventional drilling and mapping. A knowledge of these features is required in environmental and geotechnical studies in areas that may have critical impact to groundwater flow and contaminant transport. In many cases, shallow structural influences are missed during site characterization. A case study is presented using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and high resolution seismic data, compared with a geological interpretation from borehole logs and core data, with Wenner and dipole-dipole resistivity data and with cone penetrometer (CPT) data in an area where shallow structure is probable and contamination exists.