CLASSIFICATION OF GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

METHODS
(A) Active (P) Passive

Parameter Measured
Designation
Unit

Characteristic
Physical
Properties
Resistivity
Conductivity
Ionic-electronic
Overvoltage

Seismic

Electrical

Resistivity
Apparent resistivity Ohm-m
(A)
Induced Polarization Chargeablility
Msec %
(A)
Polarizability
frequency
effect
milliradian
Self-Potential
Natural potential
mV
Conductivity
(P)
Oxydability
Telluric
Relative ellipse area Ohm-m
Conductance
(P)
Ratios-apparent
resistivity
Magnetotelluric Apparent impedance Ohm-m
Resistivity
(P)
(resistivity & phase)
Conduc
(A)
Electromagnetic
Phase difference
Degree
Electrical
(A)
Tilt angle
Ohm-m
-conductivity
Amplitude ratio
Earth magnetic field
1 = 10-5 gauss Magnetic
Magnetic
Vertical component Z
susceptibility
(P)
Total intensity
Horizontal gradient
Vertical gradient
Gravity
Gravity field
milligal
density
(P)
(1gal=1cm/sec2)
Radiometric
Intensity & spectral
Counts/sec
radioactivity
(P)
composition of gamma
ray
Refraction
Traveling time of
msec
Seismic wave
(A)
seismic wave
ft/sec
velocity
Reflection
Dynamic modulus
(A)
Remote sensing
Electromagnetic
N/A
Photoimagery
energy (infrared, radar,
(satellite or highultraviolet, multi
flying aircraft) etc.
spectral image)
Magnetic field
Radioactivity
Source : Van Blaricon,1980 (Introductory Mining Engineering, p. 36-37, by H.L. Hartman)

APPLICATIONS OF GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

METHODS
(A) Active (P) Passive

Applications
Direct detection
Indirect
Detection

Resistivity
(A)

Electrical

Massive sulfides
Oil shale
Clays
Geothermal reservoirs
Induced Polarization Conductive : sulfides,
oxides, Mn oxides
(A)

Self-Potential
(P)
Telluric
(P)
Magnetotelluric
(P)
(A)
Electromagnetic
(A)

Magnetic
(P)
Gravity
(P)

Seismic

Radiometric
(P)
Refraction
(A)
Reflection
(A)
Remote sensing

Bulk material
Base metals
Coal

Associated
minerals (lead,
gold, silver, etc.)
Sulfides : pyrite,
Associated
pyrrhotite copper, Mn minerals (lead,
ore
gold, silver, zick,
nickel)
Structural study steam Regional
exploration
Massive sulfides
Shear zone
Clays
General tectonic
Natural steam
General structure

intepretation
Curve matching
Comp. modeling
Curve matching
Comp. modeling
Rule of thumb
Curve matching
Visual interpretation
Comp. modeling
Curve matching
Comp. modeling
Visual interpretation

Conductives : Sulfides, Associated

Curve matching
oxsides, Mn oxides
minerals
Visual interpretation
Shear zone,
weathered zone
Magnetite
Iron ore, chromite, Comp. modeling
Pyrrotite
copper ore
Visual interpretation
Titanomagnetite
Chromite, pyrite,
chalcopyrite, lead

Uranium, thorium,
phosphates
Faults, traps,
basement
Lineament
Fault
Alterations
Rock type
Mineralization

Placer
configuration
Karstic cavities
Geological
structural
mapping

Comp. modeling
Curve matching

Tin heavy
minerals,
uranium

Comp. interpreted

Comp. modeling
Geologic correlation

Computer inverted

Geological
photointerpretaion
mapping
Mineral deposit

Source : Van Blaricon,1980 (Introductory Mining Engineering, p. 36-37, by H.L. Hartman)