Florida International University

Department of Earth Sciences

GLY 4450/4450L, (GLY 5495) Spring 01

Environmental and Exploration Geophysics 
(formerly Principles of Geophysics)

Lec: Tu-Th 1530-1645, PC337
Lab: F 930–1215, PC325 (Note: lab is required for all students)

·Note: Graduate Students may take this course by registering for GLY 5495 (Topics in Geophsyics) instead of GLY4450 & 4450L.
 
Dr. Dean Whitman
PC 325A, Tel: 348-3089
Office Hours: Tu/Th: 2-3:30PM, after class, or by appointment

 

Required Text:(R) Reynolds, J. M., An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics

Recommended:(M) Milsom: Field Geophysics

Grading:Labs and homework 50%; Midterm 20%; Final Exam 30%
 

Description:

Geophysics is the application of physical principles to the study of the Earth’s structure and physical properties.Exploration or applied geophysical techniques are used to determine the physical properties of the subsurface from measurements made by instrumentation placed on the surface or in boreholes in the ground.These techniques were first developed as an aid in the exploration for mineral and petroleum deposits but in recent years, they have been increasingly applied to environmental problems such as hydrogeology and site remediation. Applications of geophysical methods include the determination of subsurface stratigraphy and soil properties, characterization of groundwater flow and storage, the identification and tracing of hazardous substances and contaminants in the subsurface, the detection of buried objects and unexploded ordinance, the characterization of soil and bedrock properties for stability, and the exploration of the subsurface for valuable mineral and energy resources.

This course will provide an introduction to the basic methods used in exploration and environmental geophysics.Topics include seismic methods, potential fields, electrical methods, ground penetrating radar (GPR), borehole methods, introductory surveying and GPS, and introduction to GIS.The course includes a lab section held on Fridays in PC 325.The lab will include 3-4 field trips to sites in Miami-Dade County and will also include exercises on data reduction, modeling, interpretation, and computerized map production.The lab is an essential part of this course and is required for all students.The final grade will be based on labs, homework, and exams.

Prerequisites:GLY1010 or 3030, MAC 2311, PHY 2048 & 2049 or PHY 2053 & 2054


Schedule (2-Jan-2001)
Date
Topic
Reading
Jan. 
9
Introduction
R: Ch 1; M: Ch 1
11
Seismic Waves
R: Ch 4
12
Lab 1: Field surveying; GPS
16
Seismic wave propagation
R: Ch 4
18
Seismic wave propagation
R: Ch 4
19
Lab2: Data reduction/ Intro to GIS lab
23
Seismic refraction
R: Ch 5
25
Seismic refraction method
R: Ch 5
26
Lab 3: Seismic Refraction Method
30
Seismic reflection method
R: Ch 6
Feb.
1
Seismic reflection method
R: Ch 6
2
Lab 4: Seismic Reflection Method
6
Seismic Surveying 
R: 4.5 – 4.6
8
Seismic Surveying
R: 6
9
Lab 5:Seismic Field Survey on Miami Beach
13
Midterm (Seismic Methods, Chs. 1, 4-6)
15
Gravity on the Earth
R: Ch. 2
16
Lab 6 Vertical Gravity Gradient
20
Gravity surveying and reduction
R: Ch 2
22
Regional gravity studies and anomalies
R: Ch 2
23
Lab 7: Gravity Interpretation I (SS)
27
Gravity Anomalies Due to Simple Shapes
R: Ch 2
Mar
1
2-D Gravity Anomalies
R: Ch 2
2
Lab 8: Gravity Modeling
6
Earth Magnetism
R: Ch 3
8
Magnetic surveying
R; Ch 3
9
Lab 9:Magnetic & EM Field survey
13
Magnetic Anomalies
R; Ch. 3
15
Magnetic Anomalies
R; Ch. 3
16
Lab 10: Magnetic modeling
20,22,23
Spring Break
27
Electrical resistivity
R: Ch 7
29
Electrical resistivity
R: Ch 8,9
30
Lab 11: DC Resistivity Field Survey
Apr.
3
Electromagnetic methods
R: Ch 10
5
Electromagnetic methods 
R: Ch 11
6
Lab 12: Well logging
10
Ground Penetration Radar
R: Ch.12
12
Ground Penetrating Radar
R: Ch.12
13
Lab 13: GPR interpretation 
R: Ch 12
17
Extra Time
19
20
Review and Questions
Apr
24
Final Exam

whitmand@fiu.edu 1/2/01