Geophysical Exploration

Code:

EMG0040

Acronym:

PG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Earth Sciences
OFICIAL	Technology and Applied Sciences

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Mining Engineering Department
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Mining and Geo-Environmental Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EMG	8	Plano de estudos oficial a partir de 2008/09	3	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Provide students with an integrated view of various geophysical exploration methods and their geological context - theoretical bases, equipment, field procedures, data/signal processing/interpretation - allowing them, in the face of a concrete case study, to select the most appropriate method(s) and procedures in different fields of action, namely mining, geotechnical, geoenvironmental, archaeological and civil engineering/structures.

Learning outcomes and competences

Ability to select adequate methods and to conduct field work, including acquisition, data analysis and basic interpretation.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Mathematical Analysis I and II; Physics

Program

General presentation of the CU;
Synthesis and contextualisation of the subject and the different methods considered.

Geophysical Exploration:
- seismic methods, including conventional and tomographic refraction, reflection, down-hole, up-hole, conventional and tomographic cross-hole;
- geoelectrical methods: 1D, 2D; 3D resistivity; spontaneous polarisation; induced polarisation;
- electromagnetic: by radiation and induction, in particular ground radar (GPR) and VLF;
- gravimetric method;
- magnetic method;

For all methods:
- geological setting and relevant physical properties/ quantities;
- description of physical principles, types of equipment and interpretation methods - direct and inverse problem; field survey techniques;
- discussion of fields of application, with a focus on mining, geotechnical and geo-environmental domains.

Field classes are planned in which some equipment will be used, namely for seismic, electrical resistivity, GPR and VLF methods. Examples of signal processing using Excel spreadsheet, MAtlab and the software ReflexW, RES2DMOD, RES2DINV, KHFFILT.
Presentation of the public domain software RES2DMOD, for solving the direct problem in the resistivity method.

Mandatory literature

Philip Kearey, Michael Brooks, Ian Hill; An introduction to geophysical exploration. ISBN: 0-632-04929-4
C. E. de M. Fernandes // Carlos Eduardode Moraes; Fundamentos de prospecção de geofísica (( versão digital em http://athena.fe.up.pt:8881/F/?func=service& doc_library=EDG01& doc_number=000020412& line_number=0001& service_type=MEDIA))
John Milsom; Field geophysics. ISBN: 0-470-84347-0
The Berkeley Course; Applied Geophysics (http://appliedgeophysics.berkeley.edu:7057/)
McKinstry, Hugh Exton; Geologia de minas. ISBN: 84-282-0028-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes. Oral exposition, using transparencies and image projection. Use of geophysical equipment in data acquisition and introduction to data treatment and interpretation. Practical exercises.

Software

KHFFILT
RES2DMOD
REFLEXW
RES2DINV

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Earth science > Geophysical sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Teste	50,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Not exceed the number of absences established in the General Evaluation Rules and have a mark in the Distributed Evaluation equal to or higher than 6.5 points.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification will be the Distributed Assessment.

The distributed assessment during the semester includes: 2 tests, assignments and performance (if in doubt, the meaning of performance can be clarified in person by the teacher(s)).

The grading of the Distributed Assessment is obtained by weighted average using the following weights:
50% for two assessment tests: 15%, 1st test and 35%, 2nd test;
50% for assignments and performance.

Grades above 18 must be subject to oral defence.

Students who do not pass the course but have obtained frequency may take an appeal written exam. In these case, the final grade will be calculated by assigning a weight of 70% to the appeal exam and 30% to the Distributed Assessment component - assignments and performance.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not foreseen.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According with FEUP General Evaluation Rules.

Classification improvement

By written and/or oral test, probably coinciding with the appeal examination.