• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.349-356
• /
• 2015

Although geophysical methods are useful and generally provide valuable information about the subsurface, it is important to recognize their limitations. A common limitation is the lack of sufficient contrast in physical properties between different layers. Thus, multiple methods are commonly used to best constrain the physical properties of different layers and interpret each section individually. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) and shallow seismic reflection (SSR) methods, used for shallow and very shallow subsurface imaging, respond to dielectric and velocity contrasts between layers, respectively. In this study, we merged GPR and SSR data from a test site within the Cheongui granitic mass, where the water table is ~3 m deep all year. We interpreted the data in combination with field observations and existing data from drill cores and well logs. GPR and SSR reflections from the tops of the sand layer, water table, and weathered and soft rocks are successfully mapped in a single section, and they correlate well with electrical resistivity data and SPS (suspension PS) well-logging profiles. In addition, subsurface interfaces in the integrated section correlate well with S-wave velocity structures from multi-channel analysis shear wave (MASW) data, a method that was recently developed to enhance lateral resolution on the basis of CMP (common midpoint) cross-correlation (CMPCC) analysis.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2010

The vertical response spectra using the observed ground motions from the recent more than 30 macro earthquakes were analysed and then were compared both to the seismic design response spectra (Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and to the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 176 vertical ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum had strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for frequency bands above 5~7 Hz than Reg. Guide (1.60). The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for the frequency bands below 0.2 second (5 Hz) than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (SD soil condition). These frequency-dependent spectral values could be related to the characteristics of the domestic crustal attenuation and the effect of each site amplification. However, through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the conservation of vertical seismic design response spectrum should be considered more significantly for the frequency bands above 5 Hz.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2017

In order to improve the accuracy of microseismic epicenter location through the inversion techniques using P and S wave first arrivals, field experiments of microseismic monitoring were performed using borehole 3-component geophones. The direction of epicenter was estimated from the hodograms of P-wave first arrivals through the weight drop experiments in which the $\times$ component of 3-component geophone was aligned to the magnetic north. The picking of S wave first arrival was possible in the polarization filtered data even if S waves are difficult to be identified in raw data. The inversion technique using only P wave first arrival times can often converge to the local minimum when the initial values for epicenter are largely apart from the true epicenter, so that the correct solution can not be found. To solve this problem, the epicenter determination method using differences between P and S wave arrival times was used to estimate proper initial values of epicenter. The inversion result using only P-wave first arrival times which started from the estimated initial values showed the improved accuracy of the epicenter location.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.129-138
• /
• 2006

Helicopter-borne aeromagnetic surveys at two different times separated by three years were conducted to better understand the shallow subsurface structure of the Vulcano and Lipari volcanic complex, Aeolian Islands, southern Italy, and also to monitor the volcanic activity of the area. As there was no meaningful difference between the two magnetic datasets to imply an apparent change of the volcanic activity, the datasets were merged to produce an aeromagnetic map with wider coverage than was given by a single dataset. Apparent magnetisation intensity mapping was applied to terrain-corrected magnetic anomalies, and showed local magnetisation highs in and around Fossa Cone, suggesting heterogeneity of the cone. Magnetic modelling was conducted for three of those magnetisation highs. Each model implied the presence of concealed volcanic products overlain by pyroclastic rocks from the Fossa crater. The model for the Fossa crater area suggests a buried trachytic lava flow on the southern edge of the present crater. The magnetic model at Forgia Vecchia suggests that phreatic cones can be interpreted as resulting from a concealed eruptive centre, with thick latitic lavas that fill up Fossa Caldera. However, the distribution of lavas seems to be limited to a smaller area than was expected from drilling results. This can be explained partly by alteration of the lavas by intense hydrothermal activity, as seen at geothermal areas close to Porto Levante. The magnetic model at the north-eastern Fossa Cone implies that thick lavas accumulated as another eruption centre in the early stage of the activity of Fossa. Recent geoelectric surveys showed high-resistivity zones in the areas of the last two magnetic models.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.80-87
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to develop a reservoir modelling workflow to reproduce the heterogeneous distribution of effective permeability that impacts on the performance of SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage), the in-situ bitumen recovery technique in the Athabasca Oil Sands. Lithologic facies distribution is the main cause of the heterogeneity in bitumen reservoirs in the study area. The target formation consists of sand with mudstone facies in a fluvial-to-estuary channel system, where the mudstone interrupts fluid flow and reduces effective permeability. In this study, the lithologic facies is classified into three classes having different characteristics of effective permeability, depending on the shapes of mudstones. The reservoir modelling workflow of this study consists of two main modules; facies modelling and permeability modelling. The facies modelling provides an identification of the three lithologic facies, using a stochastic approach, which mainly control the effective permeability. The permeability modelling populates mudstone volume fraction first, then transforms it into effective permeability. A series of flow simulations applied to mini-models of the lithologic facies obtains the transformation functions of the mudstone volume fraction into the effective permeability. Seismic data contribute to the facies modelling via providing prior probability of facies, which is incorporated in the facies models by geostatistical techniques. In particular, this study employs a probabilistic neural network utilising multiple seismic attributes in facies prediction that improves the prior probability of facies. The result of using the improved prior probability in facies modelling is compared to the conventional method using a single seismic attribute to demonstrate the improvement in the facies discrimination. Using P-wave velocity in combination with density in the multiple seismic attributes is the essence of the improved facies discrimination. This paper also discusses sand matrix porosity that makes P-wave velocity differ between the different facies in the study area, where the sand matrix porosity is uniquely evaluated using log-derived porosity, P-wave velocity and photographically-predicted mudstone volume.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.193-206
• /
• 2004

Geophysical data including chirp (3 7 kHz) subbottom profile and detailed bathymetry were obtained over three seamounts in the Ogasawara Fracture Zone (OFZ) of the western Pacific, as a part of manganese crust survey onboard R/V Onnuri in 2003. The OFZ is a 150-km-wide, 600-km-long rift zone, which separates the East Mariana and Pigafetta Basin. The OFZ is unique in that it includes many seamounts (e.g., Magellan Seamounts andseamounts on the Dutton Ridge). The sub-seafloor acoustic echoes obtained near the OFZ were classified into following types on the basis of their characteristics: types I-1(pelagic sediment with parallel or subparallel reflectors), I-2 (pelagic sediment with no internal reflectors), and III-1 (reef build-up complex) on summit; types II-1 and III-2 (basement outcrop) on flank rift zone and upper slope, respectively; type III-3 (slump) on the lower slope and embayment between the flank rift zones; types II-2 (debrite) on the base of slope and basin floor; and types II-3 (turbidite or pelagic sediment) and II-4 (turbidite) on the basin floor. The mass-wasting that produced the complex of type II-2 debrite and III-3 slump on the lower slope and basin may have been caused by (1) strong tensional stress in the OFZ which may cause the numerous fissures or basement faults and (2) complex of the faults on the summit and steep upper slope. The variations in the echo type of pelagic sediment in the summit of seamounts may be related with the changes in the depositional and/or erosional environments. Type I-2 pelagic sediment, which is characterized by a thin and intermittent coverage, was probably deposited at a sheltered area when the current was strong, whereas type I-1 pelagic deposit occurred during a stage of progressive sedimentation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.9-20
• /
• 2017

To date, several studies have been carried out to partially compare and analyze the resistivity values within the Yangsan fault zone through the electrical resistivity survey of the exposed fault zone. However, it is not easy to directly observe a large scaled fault like Yangsan fault that has been weathered, especially due to the weathering of the fault core. This study aimed to reveal the characteristics of location, geometry, the fault core zone as well as underground distribution of the associated fault damage zone, based on the results of electrical resistivity and micro-topographic surveys as well as field geology survey in the southern Yangsan fault zone (Eonyang area). The resistivity anomaly zones developed in the NNE to NE direction were confirmed by the electrical resistivity survey. According to the electrical resistivity, micro-topographic, and field geologic surveys, the Yangsan fault has been formed by three to five fault cores, fault damage zones and/or fractured zones.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2008

A geophysical mapping was performed for Hwasan caldera which is located in Euisung Sub-basin of the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. In order to overcome the limitation of the previous studies, remote sensing technic was used and dense potential data were obtained and analyzed. First, we analyzed geological lineament for target area using geological map, digital elevation model (DEM) data and satellite imagery. The results were greatly consistent with the previous studies, and showed that N-S and NW-SE direction are the most dominant one in target area. Second, based on the lineament analysis, highly dense gravity data were acquired in Euisung Sub-basin and an integrated interpretation considering air-born magnetic data was made to investigate the regional structure of the target area. The results of power spectrum analysis for the acquired potential data revealed that the subsurface of Euisung Sub-basin have two density discontinuities at about 1 km and 3-5 km depth. A 1 km depth discontinuity is thought as the depth of pyroclastic sedimentary rocks or igneous rocks which were intruded at the ring vent of Hwasan caldera, while a 3-5 km depth discontinuity seems to be associated with the depth of the basin basement. In addition, three-dimensional gravity inversion for the total area of Euisung Sub-basin was carried out, and the inversion results indicated two followings; 1) Cretaceous Palgongsan granite and Bulguksa intrusion rocks, which are located in southeastern part and northeastern part of Euisung Sub-basin, show two major low density anomalies, 2) pyroclastic rocks around Hwasan caldera also have lower density when compared with those of neighborhood regions and are extended to 1.5 km depth. However, a poor vertical resolution of potential survey makes it difficult to accurately delineate the detailed structure caldera which has a vertically developed characteristic in general. To overcome this limitation, integrated analysis was carried out using the magnetotelluric data on the corresponding area with potential data and we could obtain more reasonable geologic structure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.463-471
• /
• 2006

Electrical resistivity surveys were conducted at areas of abandoned landfills in Cheonan and Wonju. Geology and extent of leachate migration around the landfills were evaluated with collected resistivity data by 2-D and 3-D resistivity inverse modeling. The Cheonan landfill is located above the paddy fields and the resistivity survey lines were crossed to examine possible pollution at the paddy fields by leakage of the landfill leachate. In Wonju, the landfill and the downgradient paddy fields are divided by a concrete barrier wall. At the bottom of the landfill, there is a leachate settlement system, which has not been in operation. To evaluate leachate leakage into the paddy fields, a total of 4 survey lines were used. According to the resistivity survey results, the landfill leachate in Cheonan appeared to be restricted only within the interior of the landfill, not to migrate into the subsurface of the paddy fields. These results are well consistent with electrical conductivity values of groundwaters obtained from a periodic analysis of water qualities. In Wonju, however, it was inferred that the leachate emanating from the landfill migrated beneath the abandoned leachate settlement system and the leachate would reach the downgradient paddy fields. Low resistivity area was observed in the old reservoir area and it appeared to be derived from convergence of groundwater flows from the surrounding valley and the moist wet land. In addition, groundwater flow into the paddy fields occurs beneath the old reservoir embankment at depths of $7{\sim}8m$. This paper reports details of the resistivity surveys for the uncontrolled landfills.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.533-540
• /
• 2021

Gravity field analysis and density modeling were performed to evaluate the internal state of the rock mass, which is the cause of cut slope collapse. The shape of the weathered zone and the depth of basement could be confirmed from the complete Bouguer anomaly and density model. The basement depth at the center of the cut slope calculated using the Euler deconvolution inverse method is 30 m, which is about 10 m deeper than the surrounding area. In addition, the depth of basement and the thickness of the weathered zone are similar to the boundary between low resistivity and high resistivity in dipole-dipole survey. From the study results, gravity field analysis and density modeling recognizes the internal state of the rock slope and can be used for slope safety analysis, and is particularly suitable as a method to determine the shape of weathered zones in interpreting the safety of cut slopes