Learning outcomes

At the end of this Teaching Unit, students will be able to : 

  • Explain the theoretical concepts associated with the various geophysical prospecting methods
  • Propose a few techniques that could be deployed for a given application or problem (civil engineering, hydrogeology, etc.), and justify their choice
  • Carry out an electrical sounding, a seismic sounding or an electrical tomography: acquire, process and interpret data


Goals

The aim of this course is to introduce a number of geological prospecting methods, understand their principles and be able to apply them to field activities.


 

Content

Lectures

  • 3h introduction to the applications of geophysical prospecting techniques
  • The rest of the course develops the theoretical concepts associated with each method (seismic and electrical methods will be described in priority, given their importance for practical work)

Practical work and fieldwork

  • 1 day in the field (weekdays if possible, Saturdays if necessary)
  • 9h of practical work (3 sessions): seismic sounding, electrical sounding and electrical tomography. Data collected in the field will be analyzed and interpreted during the hands-on sessions.

Table of contents

Introduction to applications of geophysical prospecting techniques

Part 1 - Electrical prospecting

  • Reminder of the essentials of physics
  • Soil resistivity
  • Propagation of currents in soils
  • Interpretation of resistivity measurements
  • Electrical probing techniques

Part 2 - Seismic prospecting

  • Elasticity
  • Elastic waves
  • Reflection and refraction of elastic waves
  • Seismic sounding
  • Reflection sounding
  • Refraction sounding

Teaching methods

Lectures, labs and field work

Assessment method

  • Oral exam (theory) with written preparation (50% of final grade)
  • Lab exam (50% of final grade)

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Geology Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Geology Standard 3 3