Gravity & Magnetic Interpretations
What are Geology and Geophysics?
What is Geology?
Geology is the study of the Earth. It includes composition and material, structure, processes, and history. Geology encompasses several special areas of study including at least the following.
Geochemistry is the study of the distribution of chemicals in the Earth and atmosphere. Geomorphology is the study of landforms and underlying structures. Historical Geology is the study of the Earth’s evolution. Paleobotany is the study of plant life in the geologic past. Paleogeography is the study of Physical Geology in the geologic past. Paleontology is the study of past life observed in the geologic record (fossils). Physical Geology is the study of processes, materials, and morphology of the Earth. Sedimentology is the study of sediment deposition. Stratigraphy is the study of relationships of rock strata. Structural Geology is the study of geologic structures such as faults and folds. Tectonics deals with large scale Earth structures such as tectonic plates and its deep interior. Volcanology is the study of volcanoes and volcanic processes.
What is Geophysics?
Geophysics is the study of the Earth by quantitative physical methods. It is an applied science and includes the Earth’s interior, crust, oceans, atmosphere, and magnetosphere. Applications are broad and can include magnetic studies related to the Earth’s interaction with the Sun, plate tectonics and the interior of the Earth, petroleum and mineral exploration, environmental and engineering analyses, and even archaeological investigations. Special areas of study include the following, among others.
Seismology is the study of seismic data. There are generally three categories of seismic data. Reflection seismic data is most commonly used for petroleum exploration because of its resolution and level of detail. Refraction seismic data is used mostly to define major layer boundaries within the Earth. Earthquake seismic data is used to study the Earth’s deep internal structure.
Potential Fields studies involve work with the Earth’s gravity, magnetic, electric, and thermal fields. Traditionally, gravity and magnetic data have been used in early stages of petroleum exploration. Magnetics is used extensively for mineral exploration as well. Although there are some applications for electrical methods in petroleum exploration, they are mostly tools for mineral exploration, as well as environmental analyses. Micro-gravity measurements are used in engineering analyses. Heat flow, and related thermal properties such as thermal gradients and rock conductivities, are essential for estimating hydrocarbon exploration potential.
Remote Sensing methods utilize data collected by radar systems, cameras, infrared sensors, and microwave receivers. Imagery derived from airborne and satellite data are used to identify major surface or near-surface structures and areas of varying composition including vegetation, rock types, etc. Typically, aircraft or satellites collect the data. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) collected in relatively smaller areas on land, is a radar system that is frequently used to interpret near surface areas, particularly for environmental, engineering, or archaeological applications.