Exploration Geophysics - Geophysical Methods

Geophysical Methods

The main techniques used are:

1. Seismic methods, such as reflection seismology, seismic refraction, and seismic tomography.
2. Geodesy and gravity techniques, including gravity gradiometry.
3. Magnetic techniques, including aeromagnetic surveys.
4. Electrical techniques, including electrical resistivity tomography and induced polarization.
5. Electromagnetic methods, such as magnetotellurics, ground penetrating radar and transient/time-domain electromagnetics.
6. Borehole geophysics, also called well logging.
7. Remote sensing techniques, including hyperspectral imaging.

Many other techniques, or methods of integration of the above techniques, have been developed and are currently used. However these are not as common due to cost-effectiveness, wide applicability and/or uncertainty in the results produced.