Near-Surface Geophysics
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Near-Surface Geophysics (SEG Investigations in Geophysics Series No. 13) presents concepts and fundamentals of near-surface geophysics in Part 1 and applications and case histories in Part 2. Dedicated to Stanley H. Ward, Near-Surface Geophysics updates and extends the scope of his landmark three-volume book, Geotechnical and Environmental Geophysics, published by SEG in 1990. Part 1 of Near-Surface Geophysics contains innovative material on magnetic and electrical methods, subsurface geophysics, near-surface seismology, emphasizes the determination of physical properties, the prevalence of multimethod surveys and integrated interpretations, and the increasing use of model-based survey planning, execution, and interpretation. Near-Surface Geophysics, a peer-reviewed hardcover book of 732 pages, will be of interest to practitioners and students.
Near-surface geophysics uses the investigational methods of geophysics to study the nature of the very outermost part of the earth's crust. Man interacts with this part of the earth's crust: he walks on it; he drills and excavates into it; he constructs structures on and in it; he utilizes its water and mineral resources; and his wastes are stored on and in it and seep into it. The very outermost part of the Earth's crust is extremely dynamic—in both technical (physical properties) and nontechnical (political, social, legal) terms—which leads to both technical and nontechnical challenges that are much different than the challenges faced by “traditional” applications of geophysics for regional geologic mapping and for oil and gas exploration (see Chapter 2).
