Geophysical methods

Research Methods

In accordance with the research objectives, we use different geophysical methods:


Electrical Resistivity Tomography

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method works on the principle of introducing a weak electric current into the ground while measuring the voltage potential in a certain volume of the subsurface. The results of the inverse modeling represent the true distribution of the subsurface resistivity. We are conducting 2D and 3D ERT surveys in various research fields with equipment ARES (Czech company GF Instruments) with 48-electrode system.

ERT method is widely used in environmental and engineering surveys (geological structure, depth to bedrock, landslides, hidden landfills, leaks, abandoned mine shafts and trenches, caverns, caves …), hydrogeological (depth to the groundwater, changes in soil moisture …) archeological (composition of the defence structures, burrial mounds, settlement structures …) and mineral exploration surveys (mineral resources).

Električna upornostna tomografija - Gearh

Earth Resistance Mapping

At Twin-probe method two stacionary remote current electrodes are placed in the ground, while two constantly separated potential electrodes (usually 0.5 or 1.5 m) are moved along the lines. Measured data of earth resistance are interpreted directly in qualitative manner, namely for the whole depth interval (~0.75 or 2,25 m) lateral changes in resistance can be observed. Data is obtained with RM15 resistance meter.

Earth resistance mapping reveals primarily stone and/or burnt archaeological objects and associated negative structures such as ditches (with clay fillings), waste pits, dump areas etc., furthermore the method is used in agronomy and pedology in determining the differences in the humidity and composition of the soil and sediments and also to determine the shallow geological composition of the area.

Geoelektrično kartiranje - Gearh

Ground Penetrating Radar

With Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method velocities and amplitudes of returned electromagnetic (EM) waves between transmiting and signal receiving antenna are measured, which depend on dielectrical properties of burried materials and the surounding medium. We perform measurements with GSSI SIR3000 GPR system, with 200, 270, 400 and 900 MHz transmitting antennas, that enables recognition of wide spectrum of objects with different dimensions, composition and depths where they are buried.

With GPR method we successfully locate the underground infrastructure and archaeological objects – especially the walls. It is also very useful in explaining structural geology, in determining the depth of a solid bedrock, fractures, caves, caverns, waste dumps and also leaks (dams, waste pools).

Georadar - Gearh

Magnetic Method

With magnetometers we can detect local changes in the magnetic flux density in the Earth’s magnetic field, due to differences in the magnetic susceptibility of materials under the surface. In this way it is possible to recognize magnetic anomalies created by different types of magnetization – most commonly remanent and induced magnetization.

For the total field magnetic measurements in gradient mode, high resolution caesium magnetometer Geometrics G-858 is used. Proton magnetometer Geometrics G-856AX is used as the base station for corrections of diurnal Earth magnetic field fluctuations for surveys where single sensor measurements are required.

With magnetometry we discover underground infrastructure with iron elements, various archaeological objects, differences in the natural composition of the soil and differences in the composition of the geological basis.

Magnetna metoda - Gearh

Magnetic Susceptibility

The hand held susceptibility meters Kappameter KT-5 and SatisGeo KM-7 are designed for quick field measurements of magnetic susceptibility of topsoil, outcropping rocks, drill cores and larger pieces of rocks.

Magnetna susceptibilnost - Gearh

Low-frequency Electromagnetic Method

Low-frequency EM instrument CMD-Miniexplorer operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction at a frequency of 30 kHz and is suitable for shallow soil studies up to 1.8 m depth. It can simultaneously measure and co-locate two different geophysical properties, magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity. Two coil configurations are possible, horizontal coplanar configurations with investigaton depths up to 0.5, 1.0 and 1.8 m and vertical coplanar configuration with investigation depths up to 0.25, 0.5 and 0.9 m.

CMD-Mini Explorer is useful for fast and accurate contactless investigations of shallow buried structures and objects in the frame of archaeological, geological, agriculture survey, road and construction inspection, metal objects and network detection, military survey and other.

Nizkofrekvenčna elektromagnetna metoda - Gearh