Geophysical Services
Near-Surface Geophysics for Environmental, Natural Resource, & Geotechnical Site Evaluation Brochure
Geophysical survey techniques provide data at a variety of scales, from the regional geologic setting to the site-specific level, and can be applied to a range of geotechnical engineering, natural resource, and environmental site characterization needs.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) provides a broad range of geophysical expertise and services to our clients, who seek our noninvasive, surface-based geophysical capabilities for delineating the subsurface distribution of geologic material, water resources, and contaminated zones, as well as for geolocating potential natural hazards such as faults and karstic features.
Geophysical Survey Techniques
Scientists and engineers with expertise and applied experience in geophysics, geology, environmental science, and geolocation have developed cost-effective methods for comprehensive subsurface mapping using the following geophysical techniques:
- Electrical resistivity sounding and profiling (1D through 3D)
- Frequency-domain electromagnetics (e.g., ground conductivity)
- Time-domain electromagnetics
- Ground-penetrating radar
- Magnetics
- Gravity
Using state-of-the-science geophysical and geolocation instrumentation, GIS and remote sensing software, and data processing methods (including joint inversions), SwRI staff can rapidly and accurately locate, map, and interpret subsurface features and anomalies.
IKONOS satellite image of and ground magnetic data from the Little
Cones, Crater Flat, Nevada. Magnetometer surveys revealed
the presence of buried lava flows, principally to the south
and southeast of the Little Cones.
Satellite image courtesy of GeoEye®
Related Terminology
geophysics • remote sensing • synthetic aperture radar • Interferometric SAR (InSAR) • ground penetrating radar • multielectrode electrical resistivity • induced polarization • frequency domain • time domain • electromagnetics • ground conductivity • gravity • magnetics • magnetotellurics • joint inversion • data processing
