Syllabus
00-Syllabus (GEOP 202)(pdf)
Syllabus
Catalog Description
This course introduces the main concepts and techniques used in applied and solid –
earth geophysics. Basic theory on seismic, gravity, magnetic, thermal, and radioactivity
methods are covered, incorporating instrumentation, data acquisition and interpretation
techniques.
Grading Policies
10% Homework Problems and Assignments
10% Quizzes
20% First Exam
20% second Exam
40% Final Exam
Prerequisite
Math 102 and Phys 102
Textbook
1. Principles of applied Geophysics,D.S.Parasins,1997
2. Relevant materials from the INTERNET
Topics Covered
Introduction
What is geophysics? What are the objectives of geophysics? Disciplines of
geophysics. Physical properties of earth materials. Active and passive methods.
Basic Concepts of the Exploration Seismic Method
Stress and strain; Young’s modulus, shear and bulk modules; Poisson’s ratio; P
and S waves; surface waves; seismic velocity; acoustic impedance; Snell’s
law; wavefronts; ray paths; reflection and transmition coefficients; elastic
constants.
Seismic refraction –Basic Theory
Physical basis of refraction; head waves; critical angle; travel time equation for
simple plane horizontal layer model; extension of travel time equation to multiple
layers; ambiguities arising from dipping layers.
Seismic refraction-Reciprocal Interpretation
Reversed refraction shooting; calculation of the time-depth; physical significance of
time-depth; time-depth to depth conversion.
Seismic Refraction –Logistics
Refraction instrumentation; geophones; seismic energy sources; shooting patterns;
analog and digital recording systems; seismogram displays.
Seismic Reflection
Geometry of reflection; travel-time equation; normal moveout; reflection records;
seismic sections.
The gravity Method-Basic Theory
Newton’s Law of universal gravitation; acceleration and potential; units
of acceleration; calculation of acceleration due to a spherical shell and to a solid
sphere; concepts of density contrast; density of earth materials.
The Gravity Method-instrumentation
Sensitivity requirements for gravity measurements, stable and unstable gravity
meters, Worden, and Lacoste & Romberg meters.
The Gravity Method –Practical Aspects
Land survey techniques; tidal and drift corrections; reduction of gravity data to
Bouguer anomalies; regional gravity; residual gravity; separation of local and
regional gravity anomalies. Gravity effect of a sphere, horizontal cylinder, a fault.
Magnetic Method –Basic Theory
Magnetic force; magnetic field strength; magnetic moment; intensity of
magnetization; magnetic susceptibility.
Magnetic Properties of Rocks
Classification of rocks on basis of susceptibility, parammagnetism, diamagnetism,
ferromagnetism.
The Geomagnetic Field
Intensity at a point due to a magnetic dipole; elements of the earth’s magnetic
field; magnetic anomalies.
Radioactivity of the Earth
Radioactive elements in the earth; theory of radioactive decay; simple decay
scheme; the Rubidium- Strontium dating method; the Potassium-Argon dating
method; and the Uranium-Lead dating scheme.
The Earth’s Internal Heat
Mechanisms of heat transfer; Fourier’s law of heat conduction; heat transport in
the earth; continental and oceanic heat flows; heat generation by radioactive
isotopes.
