2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5141M Near-Surface Geophysics

15 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Roger Clark
Email: r.a.clark@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE3350	Geoelectrics
SOEE5142M	Geophysical and Geological Field Methods and Geological Inte

Module replaces

SOEE5142M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides a training in the geophysical approaches commonly used in near-surface exploration - typically for hydrological, environmental, engineering and archaeological applications - and for characterising the weathered zone for larger scale exploration. Students will become familiar with electrical and electromagnetic approaches, near-surface seismic methods, and the typical considerations that must be made in near-surface site investigations. This is undertaken through lectures, data processing practicals and a field deployment.

Objectives

To appreciate the principles of geophysical methods commonly applied in near-surface exploration. To become familiar with handling and integrating different types of geophysical data. To learn how to design and implement geophysical field surveys.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Understand the principles of electrical, electromagnetic, seismic refraction and surface wave methodologies, as applied to near-surface targets.
- Interpret data from these geophysical methods and critically review data quality.
- Appreciate technical strategies and commercial costing aspects of near-surface survey design.

Syllabus

- Electrical survey methods in near-surface geophysics; factors affecting current flow; resistivity, permittivity, permeability, anisotropy; quantitative solutions for layered media.
- Self potential, fixed and moving source resistivity methods.
- Induced Polarisation.
- Physical basis of electromagnetic (EM) techniques, including EM, magnetotelluric surveying and ground penetrating radar.
- Seismic refraction travel-time distance relationships; interpretation algorithms such as planar- and undulating-boundary cases; hidden layers, and velocity gradients); refraction tomography
- Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves and related methods.
- Survey design strategies: principles and examples.
- Field application of near-surface geophysical methods

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	3	2.00	6.00
Fieldwork	5	8.00	40.00
Lecture	15	3.00	45.00
Private study hours			59.00
Total Contact hours			91.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Assessment preparation and feedback assimilation 59 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative workshop exercises throughout.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Field Report	33.40
Assignment	Seismic coursework	33.30
Assignment	Geoelectrics/Electromagnetic coursework	33.30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The re-sit for the module will consist of a single unseen examination, covering all aspects of the module including practical calculations and/or real data examples as well as simple written answers, and not necessarily in the same format as the coursework assessments. Note that, because it must cover ALL aspects of the module (including field campaign analysis and reporting), it is emphasised again that some or all questions may include real data examples and calculations.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/06/2024

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