• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Lau basin of the south Pacific, as an active back arc basin, is promising area bearing seafloor massive hydrothermal deposit that is located in a subduction zone between the Pacific ocean plate and Indo-Australian continental plate. We performed multi-beam bathymetry survey in the Lau basin using EM120, to find out high hydrothermal activity Bone. Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center (FRSC) and Mangatolou Triple Junction (MTJ) area were selected for precise site survey through seafloor morphology investigation. The result of surface and deep-tow magnetometer survey showed that Central Anomaly Magnetization High (CAMH) recorded which is associated with active ridge in FRSC-2 and revealed very low magnetic anomalies that can be connected to past or present high hydrothermal activity in MTJ-1 seamount area. Moreover, the physical and chemical tracers of hydrothermal vent flume, i.e., transmission, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), methane (CH4) by use of CTD system, showed significant anomalies in those areas. From positive vent flume results, we could conclude that these areas were or are experiencing very active volcanic activities. The acquired chimney and hydrothermal altered bed rock samples gave us confidence of the existence of massive hydrothermal deposit. Even though not to use visual exploration equipment such as ROV, DTSSS, etc., traditional marine geophysical investigation approach might be a truly cost-effective tool for exploring seafloor hydrothermal massive deposit.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2008

The three dimensional model method is widely applied in resource development for feasibility study, mine design, excavation planning and process management by constructing the database of various data in 3 dimensional space. Most of geophysical surveys for the purpose of engineering and resource development are performed in 2 dimensional line survey due to the restriction of the field situation, technical or economical situation and so on. The acquired geophysical data are used as the input for the 2 dimensional inversion under the 2 dimensional assumption. But the geophysical data are affected by 3 dimensional space. Therefore in order to reduce the error caused by 2 dimensional assumption, the 2 dimensional inversion result must be interpreted considering the additional information such as 3 dimensional topography, geological structure, borehole survey etc. The applicability and usability of 3 dimensional modeling method are studied by reviewing the case study to the geophysical data acquired in field of engineering and resource development.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2004

Electric cables such as multi-interphone cables and ribbon cab]os are commonly used for data aquisition in the DC resistivity survey. In general, electromagnetic induction may occur in the electric cables when electric current flows through them. In case of using multi-interphone cables in the DC resistivity survey, electromagnetic induction could take place due to the entangled wires of the multi-interphone cables, when the current flows through them. Then, the electromagnetic induction may cause measured DC resistivity data to be distorted. In this study, a monitoring system with PXI (PCI Extention for Instrumentation) was constructed to examine signal distortion on the DC resistivity data, attributed to the electromagnetic induction. Common electric cables used in the DC resistivity survey were tested to observe the waveforms of the electric voltages. The waveforms measured were compared to examine signal distortion due to the electromagnetic induction. The results may provide information on the resistivity data obtained using different electric cables in the DC resistivity survey. The distortion of waveforms attributed to the electromagnetic induction wat not observed when using ribbon cables for DC resistivity data aquisition, while the distortion were observed when using multi-interphone. Therefore, the ribbon cables provide better quality of data than other cables in the DC resistivity data aquisition.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.280-286
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• 2005

Geological sequestration of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is one of the most effective strategies far long-term removal of greenhouse gas from atmosphere. This paper reviews three projects for the $CO_2$ sequestration in geological formation. A unique $CO_2$ injection into a marine aquifer has been successfully monitored with repeated surface seismic measurements in the North Sea Sleipner West field. The seismic images reveal the extent and internal shape of the $CO_2$ bubble. Massive miscible $CO_2$ has been injected into a complex fractured carbonate reservoir at the Weyburn oil filed. High-resolution time-lapse P-wave data were successfully obtained to map the features of $CO_2$ movements within the two thin zones of different lithology. From the time-lapse crosswell EM imaging at the Lost Hills oil field in central California, U.S.A., the replacement of brine with $CO_2$ has been confirmed through a decrease of conductivity. The conductivity image was successfully compared with induction logs observed in the two wells.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2010

In current design practice, the shear wave velocity (Vs) of the core and rock-fill zone of a dam, one of the characteristics essential for seismic response design, is seldom determined by field tests. This is because the borehole seismic method is often restricted in application, due to stabilisation activities and concern for the security of the dam structure, and surface wave methods are limited by unfavourable in-situ site conditions. Consequently, seismic response design for a dam may be performed using Vs values that are assumed, or empirically determined. To estimate Vs for the core and rock-fill zone, and to find a reliable method for measuring Vs, seismic surface wave methods have been applied on the crest and sloping surface of the existing 'M' dam. Numerical analysis was also performed to verify the applicability of the surface wave method to a rock-fill dam. Through this numerical analysis and comparison with other test results, the applicability of the surface wave method to rock-fill dams was verified.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2010

The goal of automatic velocity analysis is to extract accurate velocity from voluminous seismic data with efficiency. In this study, we developed an efficient automatic velocity analysis algorithm by using bootstrapped differential semblance (BDS) and Monte Carlo inversion. To estimate more accurate results from automatic velocity analysis, the algorithm we have developed uses BDS, which provides a higher velocity resolution than conventional semblance, as a coherency estimator. In addition, our proposed automatic velocity analysis module is performed with a conditional initial velocity determination step that leads to enhanced efficiency in running time of the module. A new optional root mean square (RMS) velocity constraint, which prevents picking false peaks, is used. The developed automatic velocity analysis module was tested on a synthetic dataset and a marine field dataset from the East Sea, Korea. The stacked sections made using velocity results from our algorithm showed coherent events and improved the quality of the normal moveout-correction result. Moreover, since our algorithm finds interval velocity ($\nu_{int}$) first with interval velocity constraints and then calculates a RMS velocity function from the interval velocity, we can estimate geologically reasonable interval velocities. Boundaries of interval velocities also match well with reflection events in the common midpoint stacked sections.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2010

A magnetotelluric (MT) survey has been performed to delineate deeply extended fracture systems at the geothermal field in Seokmo Island, Korea. To assist interpretation of the MT data, geological surveying and well logging of existing wells were also performed. The surface geology of the island shows Cretaceous and Jurassic granite in the north and Precambrian schist in the south. The geothermal regime has been found along the boundary between the schist and Cretaceous granite. Because of the deep circulation along the fracture system, geothermal gradient of the target area exceeds $45^{\circ}C/km$, which is much higher than the average geothermal gradient in Korea. 2D and 3D inversions of MT data clearly showed a very conductive anomaly, which is interpreted as a fracture system bearing saline water that extends at least down to 1.5 km depth and is inclined eastwards. After drilling down to the depth of 1280 m, more than 4000 tons/day of geothermal water overflowed with temperature higher than $70^{\circ}C$. This water showed very similar chemical composition and temperature to those from another existing well, so that they can be considered to have the same origin; i.e. from the same fracture system. A new geothermal project for combined heat and power generation was launched in 2009 in Seokmo Island, based on the survey. Additional geophysical investigations including MT surveys to cover a wider area, seismic reflection surveys, borehole surveys, and well logging of more than 20 existing boreholes will be conducted.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2010

In order to reduce leakage from a reservoir, a large amount of cement milk (grout) was injected from boreholes drilled around the shores of the reservoir, and monitored to establish the infiltration of cement milk into the bedrock under the reservoir. From laboratory tests using rock core samples, it was revealed that the resistivity of cement milk is much lower than that of the groundwater at this location. Therefore, it was expected that the resistivity of the zones filled with cement milk would be significantly reduced. Geophysical surveys are expected to be suitable methods to check the effectiveness of grouting in improving the water-retaining performance of a reservoir. DC electrical surveys (seven in total) and two Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magneto-Telluric (CSAMT) surveys were conducted along survey lines in the reservoir to monitor the infiltration of cement milk during the grouting. Extremely low resistivity zones ($10\;{\Omega}m$ or less) were observed in resistivity sections obtained by 2D inversion. The zones are inferred to be fractured zones filled with cement milk. In sections showing the rate of change of resistivity, three zones that showed significant change showed gradual expansion to deeper parts as the grouting progressed. These zones correspond to highly permeable zones detected by Lugeon tests at grout boreholes. We have confirmed that it is possible to measure the resistivity change by DC electrical and CSAMT surveys from the surface of the reservoir. It seems that such monitoring results could be reflected in future grouting plans.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2010

An airborne gravity survey using a helicopter was carried out in October 2008, offshore along the northern Noto Peninsula, to understand the shallow and regional underground structure. Eleven flight lines, including three tie lines, were arranged at 2 km spacing within 20 km of the coast. The total length of the flight lines was ~700 km. The Bouguer anomalies computed from the airborne gravimetry are consistent with those computed from land and shipborne gravimetry, which gradually decrease in the offshore direction. So, the accuracy of the airborne system is considered to be adequate. A local gravity low in Wajima Bay, which was already known from seafloor gravimetry, was also observed. This suggests that the airborne system has a structural resolution of ~2 km. Reduction of gravity data to a common datum was conducted by compiling the three kinds of gravity data, from airborne, shipborne, and land surveys. In the present study, we have used a solid angle numerical integration method and an iteration method. We finally calculated the gravity anomalies at 300 m above sea level. We needed to add corrections of 2.5 mGals in order to compile the airborne and shipborne gravity data smoothly, so the accuracy of the Bouguer anomaly map is considered to be nearly 2 mGal on the whole, and 5 mGals at worst in limited or local areas.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.102-108
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• 2010

The internal structure of a river embankment must be delineated as part of investigations to evaluate its safety. Geophysical methods can be most effective means for that purpose, if they are used together with geotechnical methods such as the cone penetration test (CPT) and drilling. Since the dyke body and subsoil in general consist of material with a wide range of grain size, the properties and stratification of the soil must be accurately estimated to predict the mechanical stability and water infiltration in the river embankment. The strength and water content of the levee soil are also parameters required for such prediction. These parameters are usually estimated from CPT data, drilled core samples and laboratory tests. In this study we attempt to utilise geophysical data to estimate these parameters more effectively for very long river embankments. S-wave velocity and resistivity of the levee soils obtained with geophysical surveys are used to classify the soils. The classification is based on a physical soil model, called the unconsolidated sand model. Using this model, a soil profile along the river embankment is constructed from S-wave velocity and resistivity profiles. The soil profile thus obtained has been verified by geotechnical logs, which proves its usefulness for investigation of a river embankment.