Results Of Geophysical Survey Research Articles

Analysis of Beach Deformation according to Nourishing Sand in Haeundae Beach, Korea

ABSTRACT Lee, W.D., Kim, I.H., Yoon, J.S., Cho, W.C. and Hur, D.S., 2016. Analysis of beach deformation according to nourishing sand in haeundae beach, Korea. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 1372 - 1376. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. This study has analyzed the beach deformation characteristics of Haeundae Beach, which is one of the most representative beaches of S.Korea, after beach nourishment through monitoring and performing a numerical simulation. This study was able to analyze the beach deformation characteristics after beach nourishment in depth (e.g. variations in coastline, beach profile and the area and volume of beach, and beach stabilization process) in line with the results of marine geophysical survey (Do et al., 2015). This study surveyed the marine morphological changes around Haeundae Beach caused by Typ...

Glaciological and geophysical investigations aimed at organization of a new airfield at the Station Mirny (East Antarctica)

Main results of glaciological and geophysical engineering surveys, conducted during three summer field seasons of 2013– 2016 (59–61st Russian Antarctic Expeditions – RAE) near the Russian Station Mirny (East Antarctica), are discussed in the paper. Objective of these works was to site and then to organize a new airfield for landing of medium-range aircrafts with ski landing gears. Investigations included aerial photography, GPR surveys (georadar profiling), ice core drilling, and installation of landmarks to measure velocity of the glacier motion. The GSSI ground-penetrating radars with the main frequencies of 270 MHz and 900 MHz were used. In addition, special explorations were conducted for detecting the englacial crevasses by means of remote-sensing methods. The GPR data allowed a revealing the boundary between snow-andfirn thickness and atmospheric ice. In the course of processing of 252 travel-time curves of the diffracted waves a kinematic model of the sub-surface part of the glacier has been constructed. It was found that the dielectric permittivity of the snowfirn thickness averages 2.43; similar value for the atmospheric ice amounts to 3.0. The GPR data made it possible to determine intraglacial (englacial) crevasses and to choose the most favorable field for the landing. On February 10, 2016, the first middle-range aircraft DC-3T (BT-67) had landed onto the new run-way near the station Mirny.

The application of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), induced polarization (IP) and electromagnetic conductivity (EMC) methods for the evaluation of technical condition of flood embankment corpus

A series of catastrophic floods that have occurred over the last twenty years in Poland, brought an urgent need for taking preventive steps to monitor river embankments conditions. The main problem seems to be development of efficient, ie. fast and economical measurements for controlling the condition of the river embankments, because the execution of the full range of geotechnical measurements is lengthy and costly. In this situation, thecheap and quick geophysical survey has been proposed to undertake this purpose. In this article the results of geophysical surveys were described which were performed using geoelectric and electromagnetic methods along a section of the Vistula embankment, located near the Maniow area in the Malopolska province. According to the archival data, this region is situated at the high-risk flooding zone. Three geophysical methods were used to recognize geotechnical conditions of the levee: (i) Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), (ii) Induced Polarization (IP) and (iii) Electromagnetic Conductivity Meters (ECM). Geoelectrical measurement results were presented in the form of resistivity and polarization cross-sections. Results of conductivity measurement were presented in the form of plots. These parameters effectively supplement geotechnical research providing information about the changes within the embankment and its substrate. It allows to predict potentially vulnerable area to water filtration during the flood risk.

3D electrical resistivity tomography technique for the investigation of a construction and demolition waste landfill site

We present the practical application of a 3D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) geophysical survey conducted in order to calculate the geometrical features and general structure of a construction and demolition waste layer in an old unregulated landfill prior to redevelopment. As traditional geological/geotechnical investigations comprised of cone penetration tests (CPT) failed to provide reliable results, primarily due to the nature of the underlying waste, a geophysical investigation was commissioned and found to be very effective in providing useful and accurate information to the project’s environmental and engineering team. The ERT survey data were collected in parallel equidistant lines and were subsequently merged and inverted as a single 3D dataset. The processed data depicted clearly the interface between the resistive construction waste and the conductive undisturbed host clay layer ranging at depths between 3 and 11 m. As a result of this successful geophysical investigation the total volume of the solid waste materials was calculated to be about 32500 m3. Following the complete removal of the waste it became evident that the ERT geophysical survey results were particularly accurate. As a result, the reclamation constructor was able to carefully plan the required resources for excavating, moving and disposing of the waste. Interpreted ERT data not only defined the thickness of the debris layer and the total volume with a deviation of less than 10%, but also revealed the inner structure of the solid waste layer.

Sound velocity and related properties of seafloor sediments in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea

The Bering Sea shelf and Chukchi Sea shelf are believed to hold enormous oil and gas reserves which have attracted a lot of geophysical surveys. For the interpretation of acoustic geophysical survey results, sediment sound velocity is one of the main parameters. On seven sediment cores collected from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea during the 5th Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition, sound velocity measurements were made at 35, 50, 100, 135, 150, 174, 200, and 250 kHz using eight separate pairs of ultrasonic transducers. The measured sound velocities range from 1 425.1 m/s to 1 606.4 m/s and are dispersive with the degrees of dispersion from 2.2% to 4.0% over a frequency range of 35–250 kHz. After the sound velocity measurements, the measurements of selected geotechnical properties and the Scanning Electron Microscopic observation of microstructure were also made on the sediment cores. The results show that the seafloor sediments are composed of silty sand, sandy silt, coarse silt, clayey silt, sand-silt-clay and silty clay. Aggregate and diatom debris is found in the seafloor sediments. Through comparative analysis of microphotographs and geotechnical properties, it is assumed that the large pore spaces between aggregates and the intraparticulate porosity of diatom debris increase the porosity of the seafloor sediments, and affect other geotechnical properties. The correlation analysis of sound velocity and geotechnical properties shows that the correlation of sound velocity with porosity and wet bulk density is extreme significant, while the correlation of sound velocity with clay content, mean grain size and organic content is not significant. The regression equations between porosity, wet bulk density and sound velocity based on best-fit polynomial are given.

Geophysical characteristics of the Hupijiao Rise and their implication to Miocene volcanism in the northeastern part of the East China Sea

Abstract Results of numerous geological and geophysical surveys of the East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSSB), mainly from the southwestern part, indicate that the basin was formed by rifting processes due to the subduction of the Pacific and Philippine Sea plates at the paleo-Ryukyu margin during the Late Cenozoic. However, dominantly negative anomalies in the northeastern part of the ECSSB and absence of direct evidence for the subduction-related volcanic activity mean that this interpretation is equivocal. New seismic reflection data show volcanic edifices, sills and dikes are common on and around the Hupijiao Rise. Recovered drill-hole cutting samples of Early and Middle Miocene (14.55 to 17.59 Ma) basalt from a well on the Rise have magnetic susceptibilities of 9.6 mSI and natural remnant magnetization of 3.6 A/m. These data are combined with information about the extent of volcanic edifices and the magnetic properties of sediments and granite-gneiss basement to model the magnetization distribution on the Hupijiao Rise using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) routine. The results suggest that the NRM of the volcanic edifices have been acquired primarily during geomagnetically-reversed polarity. Modeling predicts that the reversed polarity of basalt (Q-ratio = 9.84) is the main reason for negative magnetic anomalies on the northeastern part of the ECSSB. In addition, geochemical analysis indicates that the basalts sampled from the Hupijiao Rise are related to OIB (Ocean Island Basalt)-type volcanism. These analyses suggest a crustal thinning and asthenosphere upwelling event occurred in this region during the Miocene.

Surface geochemical exploration for hydrocarbons in the area of prospective structures of the Lublin Trough (Eastern Poland)

The search for crude oil and natural gas deposits is dominated by expensive seismic methods. However, less expensive and faster surface methods are available, which may improve the effectiveness of petroleum exploration. One of these methods is the surface geochemical survey. The objective of this method is to detect, record and analyse the trace amounts of hydrocarbons in soil gas samples. Our paper presents the results of such research carried out over the prospective structures of the Lublin Trough in the Eastern Poland. Three hundred fifty five soil gas samples were collected from 1.2 m depth below the surface, which were analysed by gas chromatographic analysis for their molecular composition. Sampling sites were arranged along 5 sampling lines with 200 m spacing. Maximum concentrations of CH4, total alkanes C2–C4, total alkenes C2–C4, H2, CO2 and O2 detected in our samples were: 0.16 vol.%, 0.95 ppm, 6.79 ppm, 0.37 vol.%, 5.01 vol. % and 21.6 vol.% respectively. The results demonstrate that alkanes recorded in the soil gas which are heavier than methane, originated from the deeper hydrocarbon accumulations. These components migrated to the near-surface zone due to their active microseepage along the tectonic discontinuities and cracks in the overburden. Weak correlation of H2 and CO2 with alkanes were found, which precludes the application of both components as additional prospective indicators in the study area. Diverse activity of partial oxidation of alkanes to alkenes, perhaps due to different rate of microseepage of hydrocarbons, has been determined using the C2H6/C2H4 (C2/C2=) ratio. The presence of numerous tectonic dislocations intensifies the microseepage and increases the amplitudes of geochemical anomalies recorded at the surface. Normalization of concentrations of methane, total alkanes C2–C4 and total alkenes C2–C4 with their of background values, which were calculated for separate subsets of C2/C2= ratio values, significantly reducing the ranges and the amplitudes of hydrocarbons anomalies. It allowed for modification of the anomalous pattern due to diverse activity of partial oxidation of alkanes to alkenes. Statistical analysis of C2H6/C3H8 (C2/C3) ratio values showed that in the study area accumulations of gas condensate and dry gas dominate with the strongest surface geochemical signals.The surface geochemical results were integrated with the structural map of the top of Devonian formations as well as we when displayed as trend integrated with geological cross-sections. The surface alkane anomalies generally occur along the major, NW–SE-trending chain of structural uplifts located between Abramów, Glinnik and Nasutów. This zone is most prospective and indicates the highest petroleum potential. Changes in normalized concentrations of total alkanes C2–C4 allowed the identification of 9 anomalous zones, indicating the presence of deep hydrocarbon sources. The no. 2 anomaly, which was localized at the intersection of the B–B′ and the E–E′ sampling lines, seems to be the most prospective. The accumulations of dry gas or gas condensate likely occur in the anticline formed by Devonian and/or Carboniferous strata. This zone should be opened for confirmation by drilling. The geochemical lead should now be integrated with all available geological/seismic data for prospect development. Our study demonstrates that the results of surface geochemical surveys combined with the results of geological studies and geophysical surveys provide a valuable source of comprehensive information about the explored area.

Geophysical remote sensing of historical Aboriginal gravesites in southwestern Western Australia

Many suspected historical Aboriginal gravesites are through-out southwestern Western Australia, where individual burial locations remain unknown. Because of the cultural and historical importance of these heritage sites, there is an increasing effort to identify such locations to enable better site preservation and appropriate commemoration. Gravesite reconnaissance routinely requires the investigation of large areas, and it is inefficient and disrespectful to excavate large volumes in search of burials. Geophysical remote sensing offers a noninvasive alternative for identifying and delineating gravesites. To these ends, the University of Western Australia (UWA) Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Student Chapter has been working with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) in a pilot study to acquire several near-surface geophysical surveys at two historically documented Aboriginal gravesites in Quairading and Toodyay, Western Australia. The resulting ground-penetrating radar (GPR), magnetics, conductivity mapping, and resistivity profiling data sets identify subsurface anomalies that are consistent in location with historical documentation and elders’ recollections and with the expected geophysical signatures of historical burials and early development activities. The geophysical survey results have been relayed to the SWALSC and community decision makers to assist in upcoming preservation and commemoration efforts. The pilot study could be helpful in identifying other Aboriginal gravesites throughout Western Australia and would represent a positive step toward resolving key longstanding issues among different community interests surrounding the uncertainties of some sites of suspected Aboriginal heritage.

Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in the investigation of quaternary landslide zones, based on the selected regions of Płock slope

Abstract The article shows the results of geophysical surveys performed by using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method on selected region of Płock slope of a Tumski hill near Basilica of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Płock and in Maszewo by the Vistula River a few kilometers north of Płock. The above-mentioned sections were selected due to landslide phenomena observed there. Geophysical surveys were conducted in order to verify the state of the distribution of electrical resistivity in the sectors where mass movement was identified. The electrofusion cross-section near Cathedral Basilica shows clays and sands. Also in ERT prospection a zone of loose soils with high resistance is clearly visible. The results of the ERT method from Maszewo, indicates historical land surface of a landslide and that the slope in Maszewo consists of cohesive deposits. In order to describe these particular issues, geological cross-sections and safety factor obtained by calculation are presented for the analyzed parts of the slope. The safety factor shows that probability of landslide activity near Cathedral Basilica is very unlikely and in Maszewo is very high

Predicting а new area of oil-and-gas accumulation in extreme south part of Dniprovsko-Donetsk depression

New geological data of the south regional fault studies is presented. The most prospective area occupies extreme south-east of the Mikhailivsko-Leventsivskiy anticline slope. Layers of Carboniferous and Devonian are considered prospective according to geological and geophysical survey results. Methods and scope of exploration are identified by positive results provided by drilling in the adjacent areas of single exploratory and prospecting wells and by data of analog fields such as Leventsivske, Golubivske and Illichivske as well as other factors that prove feasibility of further geological exploration aimed to discover new deposits. 

Statistical Analysis of Reservoir Parameters of the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Formation in the Carpathian Foredeep Obtained from Dst Tests and Geophysical Surveys

Streszczenie W publikacji przedstawiono wybrane wyniki analizy statystycznej właściwości zbiornikowych i parametrów złożowych utworów jury górnej-kredy dolnej określone na podstawie wyników testów rurowymi próbnikami złoża (RPZ) oraz badaniami geofizycznymi, przydatne przy opracowywaniu charakterystyki geologicznej złóż węglo­wodorów w utworach górnej jury-dolnej kredy. Właściwości zbiornikowe (porowatość ogólna, miąższość efektywna) oraz parametry złożowe (przepuszczal­ność, gradient ciśnienia złożowego i wskaźnik wydobycia wody złożowej) jury górnej-kredy dolnej, usyste­matyzowano w postaci histogramów, w celu scharakteryzowania ich rozkładu i wyznaczenia wartości średnich. Wyznaczone średnie wartości mogą być wykorzystane przy projektowaniu procesów dowiercania, opróbowania i eksploatacji złóż węglowodorów w utworach górnej jury-dolnej kredy. Wartość ciśnienia złożowego określona na podstawie wyników testów złożowych RPZ stanowi podstawę symulacji złożowych, a także projektowania konstrukcji otworów wiertniczych, technologii dowiercania oraz eksploatacji złoża. Metodami analizy statystycznej wyznaczono równanie regresji liniowej zmian ciśnienia złożowego w funkcji głębokości zalegania skał węglanowych jury górnej- kredy dolnej. Równanie to może być wykorzystywane do prognozowania wartości ciśnienia w danym rejonie wierceń. Cechy produkcyjne badanych poziomów perspektywicznych jury górnej-kredy dolnej oceniono na podstawie zmian wskaźnika wydobycia wody złożowej (wydatek przypadający na jednostkę depresji ciśnienia) w funkcji miąższości efektywnej. Uzyskana korelacja pozwala na prognozowanie wskaźnika wydobycia wody złożowej na podstawie miąższości efektywnej w badanych utworach. Cechą skał zbiornikowych, od której w znacznym stopniu zależy wielkość wskaźnika wydobycia tak wody złożowej, jak też i węglowodorów, jest ich przepuszczalność. Zróżnicowane zależności pomiędzy porowatością i przepuszczalnością występujące w skałach węglanowych są często przyczyną trudności i niejednoznaczności w interpretacji wyników testów złożowych. Metodami analizy statystycznej stwierdzono - dla wybranego obszaru poszukiwań naftowych - zadawalającą korelację między przepuszczalnością efektywną dla wody określoną testami RPZ, a porowatością oszacowaną na podstawie pomiarów geofizyki wiertniczej, nadającą się do progno­zowania wartości przepuszczalności skał jury górnej-kredy dolnej.

Interpreting ground-penetrating radar for archaeology

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has become one of the standard tools in the archaeologist's array of methods, but users still struggle to understand what the images tell us. In this book-illustrated with over 200 full-color photographs-Lawrence Conyers shows how results of geophysical surveys can test ideas regarding people, history, and cultures, as well as be used to prospect for buried remains. Using 20 years of data from more than 600 GPR surveys in a wide array of settings, Conyers, one of the first archaeological specialists in GPR, provides the consumer of GPR studies with basic information on how the process works. He show how the plots are generated, what subsurface factors influence specific profiles, how the archaeologist can help the surveyor collect optimal data, and how to translate the results into useable archaeological information.

New Concepts in Geophysical Surveying and Data Interpretation for Permafrost Terrain

ABSTRACTThis review focuses on advances in applications of geophysical methods to permafrost terrain that have emerged in 2007–12. Improvements in the four main geophysical techniques presently used in permafrost research (i.e. electric, electromagnetic, seismic and radar methods) and new or resurrected methods for permafrost applications are discussed. Advances in geophysical monitoring and quantitative interpretation of geophysical survey results are presented, especially for ground ice and water content. Electrical resistivity is now used operationally for long‐term monitoring of ice content, as well as for short‐term process studies. Quantitative approaches to determine realistic ice and liquid water content values and their spatial and temporal variability exist, but need to be further refined to be widely applicable for geotechnical and numerical modelling purposes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

综合地球物理方法在阜新市四合地区地热资源普查中的应用

阜新市四合地区是地热资源勘查开发的空白区。为查明地热资源赋存状况，本次工作采用重力勘探、磁力勘探、可控源音频大地电磁测深、大地电场岩性探测等多种方法进行了综合地球物理推断解释。结果表明：项目区存在2条北东向断裂F1、F2和1条北西向断裂F3，这些断裂共同控制了区内地热地质条件；项目区发育两套热储层，上部为侏罗–白垩系义县组玄武岩、安山岩，下部为中元古界蓟县系雾迷山组白云岩。项目区南部为地热勘探靶区，面积12.05 km2；其上部热储层顶板埋深700~1400 m，顶板温度25℃~44℃，下部热储层顶板埋深1100~1800 m，顶板温度36℃~56℃。最终在勘探靶区内地热地质条件有利的部位设计了2眼勘探井。综合地球物理勘探成果有效地避免了单一方法的多解性，为下一步钻探工作的开展提供了重要的科学依据。 The Sihe area of Fuxin city is a blank area of exploration and development of geothermal resources. In order to investigate the occurrence and formation of geothermal resources, several methods, such as gravity exploration, magnetic exploration, CSAMT and the land electrotelluric lithological detection technique are applied in the exploration area. The comprehensive analysis results show that there are two faults with NE direction (named F1, F2) and one fault with NW direction (named F3) which together control the geological conditions of geothermal resources, and the geothermal reservoiris are divided into two main layer groups: the upper one is basalt and esite reservoir of Yixian formation of Jurassic-Cretaceous, and the lower one is dolomite reservoir of Mesoproterozoic Wumishan formation of Jixian. Geothermal exploration target is located in the south of the project site with the area 12.05 km2; and the depth of the upper heat stratum layer roof is 700 - 1400 m with the temperature of 25˚C - 44˚C, while the depth of the lower heat stratum layer roof is 1100 - 1800 m with the temperature of 36˚C - 56˚C. Based on the above results, two investigation wells have been designed at the location of favorable geological conditions in the exploration area. It shows that the multiple solutions by the single method can be effectively avoided through the results of integral geophysical survey which could provide an important scientific basis for further drilling work.

Karst cavity detection in carbonate rocks by integration of high resolution geophysical methods

Combined surveys using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity
 Tomography (ERT) are deployed to provide a cost effective characterization of the
 subsurface karst environments. A total of 12 GPR traverses and 4 ERT lines with lengths
 from 140 to 710 m are conducted at Sulaimani governorate, NE Iraq (45o 04' E and 35o 35'
 N). The area represents a broad syncline of limestone rocks, which is covered by a thin
 layer of recent sediments. Great anomaly depicting crest (high) like pattern was noticed on
 GPR records. A plausible interpretation for this anomaly was a cavity filled either by
 groundwater or by residual products of karstification. The presence of this cavity was
 confirmed also by electrical resistivity tomography. An excellent correlation exists
 between GPR signatures and ERT layers. The extension and the depth to the top of the
 cavity were determined from both GPR data and 2D inversion interpretation. A huge cave
 was discovered. It is located at depth of 25.0 meters. It has an elongated shape that extends
 from southeast to northwest direction. The geophysical survey results show this cave with
 approximate dimensions of 150.0 m long, 35.0 m wide and 24.0 m high.

Geostatistical integration of seismic velocity and resistivity data for probabilistic evaluation of rock quality

This study applied a geostatistical approach to integrate various geophysical results for the probabilistic evaluation of rock quality designation (RQD) in regions between boreholes. Two of the geophysical survey results, electrical resistivity and seismic velocity, were transformed into a probabilistic distribution with the directly observed RQD values at the boreholes using an indicator value method. The initial spatial distribution of RQD, inferred from indicator kriging of observations from the boreholes, was improved by support of the geophysical results based on the integration by a permanence ratio. The integration was good enough to produce results that compensated for the defection of each exploration method. Also, the probabilistic feature of the final product of the RQD distribution made it possible to assess a more quantitative rock quality evaluation and better decision making for safety design.

Exploring the use of geophysical survey on the Swahili coast: Vumba Kuu, Kenya

The application of geophysical survey in sub-Saharan Africa has been limited compared to other parts of the world. Geophysical techniques offer the possibility of conducting broad-scale survey relatively quickly, and of providing information on the layout of structures within a previously defined site. In a context in which ephemeral architecture is in the majority, the latter approach is an invaluable complement to surface survey and guide to excavation. At the site of Vumba Kuu, Kenya, magnetometry has proven successful at recovering information on the overall layout of the town and at providing hints as to the nature of archaeological remains within the areas identified. Vumba is a fourteenth- to fifteenth-century Swahili town made up almost exclusively of impermanent architecture, contained within an enclosing wall. This paper presents the results of geophysical survey at the site, conducted under the aegis of the British Institute in Eastern Africa. The methodology and main conclusions are presented as an experiment in the use of geophysics in an urban site on the coast of East Africa. The ways that the techniques used might enable a better understanding of activities and interactions within Swahili towns are also discussed.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Field and Laboratory Geophysical Measurements of Black-Sand Beach Deposits, East Rosetta, Egypt

The present study deals with the analysis and interpretation of the results of field geophysical survey and laboratory geophysical measurements. The study of the magnetic and electrical methods was selected because the beach sands contain many minerals that have magnetic and electric properties. Analysis and interpretation of the field and laboratory magnetic and geoelectric maps demonstrated that the investigated beach-alluvial deposits can be subdivided according to their magnetic and geoelectric properties into three main zones striking nearly parallel to the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea at the study area. The northern zone is more enriched in black sands than the central or southern zones. Field and laboratory magnetic susceptibility measurements provided very useful maps for the concentration of heavy minerals. The deep-seated magnetic response was calculated at an average depth of 239.6 m, while the near-surface magnetic responses were computed at average depths of 9.1, 57.9, and 81.8 m, respectively. The correlation between the geophysical features, recorded on the total magnetic field intensity, the electric resistivity, the IP chargeability, and the calculated metal factor, was found to agree to a great extent. The heavymineral concentration was found to decrease with depth. However, the heavyminerals show parallel zones below the surface, suggesting similar sedimentation environments.

Combining GeoEye-1 Satellite Remote Sensing, UAV Aerial Imaging, and Geophysical Surveys in Anomaly Detection Applied to Archaeology

This paper describes a method of combined ultra-high resolution satellite imaging, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography, and sub-surface geophysical investigation for anomaly detection, which was employed in a non-invasive survey of three archaeological sites in Northern Mongolia. The surveyed sites were a Bronze Age burial mound, a Turkish period tomb, and a steppe city fortification of unknown origin. For the satellite survey, 50 cm resolution pan-sharpened imagery was generated through a combination of multispectral and panchromatic data, collected from the GeoEye-1 earth-sensing satellite. The imagery was then used to identify the location of the aforementioned sites in an approximate area of 3000 km <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> . Aerial photographs of the sites were obtained with two customized electric-powered UAVs: a fixed flying wing rear-propulsion plane and a multi-propeller “oktokopter” helicopter system. Finally, geophysical investigation was conducted with a GSM-19 Overhouser gradiometer, an EM38 electromagnetometer, and an IDS Detector Duo ground penetrating radar. The satellite imagery and aerial photographs were combined with the geophysical survey results and on-site surface observations to provide insight and contextual information about anomalies in multiple layers of data. The results highlight the effectiveness and robustness of the employed method for archaeological investigation in large, rugged and scarcely populated areas.

Early mining and mineral exploration geophysics in southern Africa

The first scientific geophysical research achievements in South Africa are easy to identify: the first magnetic observatory at the Cape of Good Hope, and the Beattie and Morrison magnetic survey. In contrast, the early mining- and mineral-related geophysical surveys are not so easy to pinpoint. The best compilation of early work was provided by Krahmann (1936a). He pointed out that prior to 1931, only a few geophysical investigations were performed in southern Africa. He had records of 45 of these investigations, 30 of which comprise electrical methods. The results of many geophysical surveys were never made public, and consequently we know little or nothing about them. The surveys discussed in this section are the ones carried out and reported during the first 30 years of mining and mineral exploration geophysics in southern Africa. This then is the period commencing in the early 1900s, and this discussion ends at the start of World War II.