Geophysics

Seismic Refraction

Seismic Reflection

Gravity

made by injecting a

made by measuring the

measures the travel time

Detect changes in the

DC current into the

travel time of a refracted

of seismic waves from the

earth's gravitational

ground through two

seismic wave as it travels

ground surface downward

field caused by local

electrodes and

from the surface through

to a geologic contact where

changes in the density

measuring the resulting

one layer to another and is

part of the seismic energy

of the soil and rock or

voltage at the surface at

Resistivity

refracted back to the

Primary application for

is reflected back to
Primary application is for

engineered structures
Standard gravity

measurements are

seismic refraction is for

determination of depth and

measurements are

primary used for

determination of depth

thickness of geologic

primarily applied to

soundings to determine

and thickness of geologic

strata, structural and

characterizing geologic

depth and thickness of

strata, structure and

anomalous conditions.

structure using widely

geologic strata;
Good vertical resolution

anomalous conditions;
Typical measurements are

Provides a high resolution

spaced stations (100's

Provides a means to

(sounding);

less than 100 feet but can

cross section (as compared

characterize conditions

easily made to greater

to refraction) of

in geologic and cultural

May also be used for

depths, if necessary;

soil/rock along profile line;

environments, where

profiling;

Can resolve up to 3 to 4

The high resolution

other geophysical

Measurements can be
Requires intrusive

layers;
The survey line length

method uses frequencies of

Requires intrusive contact

methods may fail;

Station measurements

contact with the ground;

(source to farthest

with the ground;

only;

Disadvantages

Advantages

Uses

Names

Resistivity

geophone) may be 4 to 5
Station measurements

times

Station measurement

Instruments carried by

only;

the desired depth of

only;

hand only;

investigation;