FIELD GEOPHYSICS METHODS

CODE: HXGP 220

PRESENTED BY

TINODASHE ARTHUR NYATHI R198185G

&
LEROY BADZA R198536V
a)What do you understand by the phrase “base station” in
gravity and magnetic methods?

“Base station” in gravity and magnetic methods refers to locations, where

absolute value of the earth’s gravity or magnetic field is known.
It reference location for a survey, or a survey point whose measured values of
a given parameter of interest (be it gravity or magnetic field) are understood
and can be used to normalize other survey points.
A base station refers to a station to which reference can be made, to
normalize measurements made at other-stations.
 Geophysical parameters measured at bases stations are presumed to be
known very accurately and preferably absolutely.
 Accurate knowledge of base stations is critical in gravity and magnetic
surveying.
 It must be reasonably accessible and no large mass movements, such as
underground tunnels, should be anticipated in the immediate vicinity of the
station
 Bases (base stations) are important in gravity and magnetic surveys, and in
some electrical and radiometric work.
 They may be:
1. Drift bases – Repeat stations that mark the starts and ends of sequences of
readings and are used to control drift.
2. Reference bases – Points where the value of the field being measured has
already been established.
3. Diurnal bases – Points where regular measurements of background are made
whilst field readings are taken elsewhere.

 A single base may fulfil more than one of these functions.

 b) Explain the uses of base stations in Gravity Survey and
Magnetic Surveys
 Base stations are used to correct for naturally occurring and uncontrollable, changes
in gravity and magnetic fields.
  Geophysical parameters measured at base stations are presumed to be known very
accurately and preferably absolutely.
 For example, in a gravity survey, the base station is used to determine instrumental 
drift and to provide an absolute value to which gravity anomalies relate.
 In magnetic surveying, a continuous-reading magnetometer may be used at a base
station to monitor the diurnal fluctuations in the Earth's geomagnetic field and thus
aid the interpretation of magnetic survey data.
a. Describe fully the process of magnetic data collection
in the field given:
i. One magnetometer
ii. Two magnetometers
iii.Two gravity meters
i)One magnetometer

 Ground surveys are conducted to follow up magnetic anomalies caused by subsurface

bodies.
 Such surveys may involve stations spaced from 50 m apart. Survey may be along
profiles or gridded network or may be in random pattern.
 Magnetometers also are towed by research vessels or mounted on the researcher on
foot.
 When using one magnetometer to conduct a magnetic survey one would need to
establish the type of pattern he is using and establish a base station points for his
survey layout .
 These base station points are used as points to measure the natural fluctuations of the
Earth’s field over time.
 Upon taking readings on his survey line one would need to go back to the established
base stations every 3-5 mins, to take a magnetic reading.
  This is done to monitor the temporal variation in the Earths magnetic field
and to account for this variation on every survey reading made and using
the variation in this reading to account for instrument drift and temporal
variations of the field.
NB
 This may increase survey time and may also lead to increased survey costs as
compared if one was using two magnetometers.
 This may sometimes not be the best approach as field variation in magnetic
may be highly erratic which may lead to inaccurate data corrections and
may affect our survey anomalies.
 ii)Two magnetometers

 Investigators conducting magnetic surveys usually prefer using two magnetometers.

 This is because one is used to monitor temporal variations of the magnetic field
continuously at a chosen “base station”, and the other is used to collect observations
related to the survey proper.
 This has an advantage of cutting survey time and leading to lower survey costs.
 Surveying is generally suspended during periods of large magnetic fluctuation
(magnetic storms).
 iii) Two gravity meters
 

 Gravimetric surveys conducted for the geophysical exploration purpose, which is the

main user of detailed gravity data, employ portable gravimeters exclusively.

 Investigators conducting Gravity surveys usually prefer using 2 gravity meters.

 One is used to monitor temporal variations of the gravitational field continuously at a

chosen “base station”, and the other is used to collect observations related to the
survey proper.

 This also has advantages of cutting the survey time and cost as, one does not have to
continuously go back to the base stations to monitor these variations.
 2a) As precisely as possible, highlight Induced
polarization data collection procedures.

 The potential measured between two electrodes while the current is not transmitted will generally
be other than zero due to several factors such as streaming potentials, electro-chemical reactions
between the electrode and the ground, telluric currents, power grid leakage, etc.
 The magnitude of the electro-chemical reactions depends on the type of electrodes, where so-called
non-polarizable electrodes give small potentials (often tens of mV or less) whereas stainless steel
electrodes give large potentials that can reach hundreds of mV (e.g., LaBreque and Daily 2008).
 When the current is transmitted through a steel electrode it is charged up (often several hundred
mV) and the potential decays exponentially during tens of minutes after the current has been
turned off (Dahlin 2001).
 If such an electrode is used for measuring the potential shortly after transmitting the current via
the same electrode, the decay will be superimposed on the potential induced in the current
measuring cycle, which may be magnitudes smaller
Receiver
Receiver is a compact high production Induced Polarization and Resistivity surveys data
collection instrument. The number of channel present on a receiver instrument vary depending
on the model used.
If an Elrec Pro receiver is used.
 The receiver has 10 channels which leads to production with 10 dipoles at once yielding about
10 times faster. The ten dipoles of the ELREC Pro offer high productivity in the field for Pole-
dipole, Dipole-dipole and Gradient IP surveys. ELREC Pro also offers a Cole-Cole mode and
twenty fully programmable windows for a higher flexibility in the definition of the IP decay
curve.
Induced Polarization chargeability values and IP decay curves can be displayed in real time on
the large graphic LCD screen. Before data storage during surveying in the field the ELREC Pro
can be used as a one channel graphic display, for monitoring the noise level and checking the
primary voltage waveform, through a continuous display process.
Rez Check
With this instrument the electrode contact can be estimated using the ‘Focus One’ technique, in
which the contact resistance of each electrode is measured against all the remaining electrodes.
 This technique can be expected to give an estimation of the maximum level of the electrode contact.
 Threshold values for acceptable contact resistance are set by the operator, so that electrodes with poor
grounding can be identified and the contact improved before measurements start

 The internal memory can store up to 21 000 readings, each reading including the full
set of parameters characterizing the measurements.
 In order to enhance the signal to noise ratio, signal stacking (of the order of maybe 16
stacks) and averaging features maybe engaged on the ELREC Pro receiver .
 The parameters measured are the apparent chargeability and apparent resistivity.

NB
 The lines to be surveyed must be already open or cut and marked by the crew before
engaging data collection.
 No readings are taken when lightning is in the vicinity of the grid as studies have
shown that heavily lightning affects IP readings.
 For example the iris receiver and the GDD receiver
 Transmitter
 The transmitter is used to amplify and pump in current into the ground powered by a 5K
automatic current regulated TDIP generator. A transmitter is very easy to use and moving
around in ragged terrain in the field. Depending on the model used it can transmit up to
10A in highly conductive ground or can send up to 2400V in resistive ground.
 If GDD TxII 5kW transmitter and ELREC Pro receiver are used :
 A signal waveform with Time domain (ON+,OFF,ON-,OFF) of a pulse duration of 2
seconds may be used to transmit using a GDD TxII 5kW transmitter for all the IP data to
be collected. Signal stacking and averaging can be employed to improve the signal to noise
level.
 Water for watering electrodes maybe of use as it may improve electrode ground contact.
Routine servicing and inspection of equipment must be carried out on a daily basis before
survey.
 When in the field naked cables sections are insulated. Current cables were always laid out
separate from potential electrode cables in order to avoid electromagnetic coupling between
the current and potential electrode cables.
 In general, transmitter currents of the order of 3 Amperes to 4.5 Amperes were input into
the ground for strong signals using current electrodes. This current range is usually
 For example GDD transmitter
 Electrodes and cables

 Stainless steel electrodes are used throughout.

 They were connected to the respective relay switches and instruments via standard
non-shielded multi-electrode cables.
 At all sites measurements were carried out using standard single cable array spreads
(Fig. 1a). At sites 2 and 3 measurements were also carried out with double layouts
with two complete cable spreads in parallel (Fig. 1b).
 One cable layout was placed on each side of the line of electrodes and shifted half a
take-out spacing so that every second electrode was connected to each cable spread.
 With this arrangement every second electrode is only used for current transmission
and the electrodes in-between are only used for potential measurement
 Field layout and reading taking

 NB
 The field layout depends on the type of array used, shlumberger,wenner,pole-
dipole etc.
 The current (I) is inputted into the ground from the transmitter via the electrodes and amplified to
the required current level through a separate cable spread for current transmission.
 The inputted current into the ground is measured/detected as a voltage signal at potential the
electrodes connected by a multi-core cable which a connected to the receiver.
2b)What are the practical challenges associated with resistivity and induced
polarization data collection. To each challenge suggest a solution that you may
implement whilst in the field.
  Practical challenges associated with IP and Resistivity include:

1. Communication challenges-Field communication challenges, especially

between the transmitter person and the receiver person may result in
unscary field delays which may cause the survey to be longer than usual
especially in cases such as in pole-dipole were one of the current electrodes
has to be constantly moved per every reading made, which makes
communication a vital part of the survey.
2. Cable movement-Cable movement may become a practical challenge
especially in cases were longer current cables and potential cables are to be
used, which may become heavy with every added length and may cause
each field movement to be difficult
3.Accesibility-This may be a problem especially when a survey is conducted in
thick forests which are difficult to access and make data collection difficult and
sometimes in accurate.

4. Line marking and station marking-The pinpointing and marking of both line
and station spacing may be difficult especially in non gentle sloping places

5.Cable weight-Heavy cables make field movement and cable packing difficult and
time consuming
 Suggested solutions
1. Communication-Use of wireless radiophones, which may be used for transmission of
speech over the radio and over large distances making communication simpler and
easier cutting down on field movement reducing the time needed to conduct the
survey.
2. Cable movement-This can be solved by hiring more field personnel which will help
in both cable movement and cable packing simplifying field work and reducing
survey time
3. Accessibility –This can be improved by carrying clearing equipment such as
(machetes, slashers) or having own field peroneal who is strictly there for
clearing survey lines.
4. Line marking and station marking- this is improved by use of a GPS.
5. Cable weight-Use of lighter cables which are easy to unroll and pack.