Ground penetrating radar (GPR): a new geophysical methodology used to investigate the internal structure of sedimentary deposits (field experiments on lacustrine deltas)

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dc.contributor.advisorSmith, Derald G.
dc.contributor.authorJol, Harry Martin
dc.date.accessioned2005-08-05T16:27:22Z
dc.date.available2005-08-05T16:27:22Z
dc.date.issued1993
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 122-135.en
dc.description.abstractAlthough in its infancy, ground penetrating radar (GPR) is rapidly emerging as a geophysical technology with many possible applications. To assess whether GPR could become a useful tool to investigate internal sedimentary structures, GPR field experiments were conducted on several modern, Holocene and Pleistocene lacustrine deltas to better understand the internal stratigraphy. A pulseEKKO™ IV radar system was used with 25, 50, 100 and 200 MHz frequency antennae and 400 and 1000 V transmitter power levels. For most surveys one metre steps (station spacing) were used to provide detailed horizontal resolution of the sedimentologic structures. The profiles were processed and plotted (wiggle trace format) using pulseEKKO™ IV software. Depth of reflections was determined from using the common midpoint (CMP) method. Experiments with different antennae frequencies and transmitter powers showed significant variations in vertical resolution, depth of penetration and continuity of reflections. Radar stratigraphic (facies) analysis of GPR profiles, evolved as a secondary development in this dissertation, provided identification of three deltaic types: (1) fan-foreset, (2) wave, and (3) braid. These deltaic types are in general agreement with existing concepts. Fan-foreset deltas are dominated by steeply dipping (25°) reflections, sandwiched by surface and basal radar facies which have slightly inclined or horizontal reflections. Wave deltas have low-angle inclined reflections capped by discontinuous, wavy reflections. Braid deltas have distinct, continuous and semi-continuous, wavy reflections, often overlying a basal, horizontally continuous reflection, below which an abrupt signal loss occurs. As well, two post depositional features found in deltaic environments were investigated: (1) a potential failure plane and (2) a peatland. The insights gained from the radar stratigraphic analysis of deltaic environments may be extended to the interpretation of seismic records and ancient deltaic systems. More importantly, this information will provide a better understanding of the internal structure which will aid earth scientists in the interpretation of deltaic sequences from drill cores. GPR was found to be most effective (resolution and depth of penetration) in dry and/ or wet (freshwater), quartzose-rich, clean (no clay) sand and gravel deposits. The technique does not work well in sediments with silt, clay, caliche (CaC0₃, calcrete), or saline ground water which attenuate the electromagnetic signal.en
dc.format.extentxvii, 135 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationJol, H. M. (1993). Ground penetrating radar (GPR): a new geophysical methodology used to investigate the internal structure of sedimentary deposits (field experiments on lacustrine deltas) (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/13543en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/13543
dc.identifier.lccQE 33.2 R33 J65 1993aen
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/30664
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.lccQE 33.2 R33 J65 1993aen
dc.subject.lccAdditional Copy: QE 33.2 R33 J65 1993en
dc.subject.lcshRadar in earth sciences
dc.subject.lcshRadar in surveying
dc.subject.lcshGeology, Stratigraphic
dc.subject.lcshDeltas
dc.subject.lcshProspecting - Geophysical methods
dc.titleGround penetrating radar (GPR): a new geophysical methodology used to investigate the internal structure of sedimentary deposits (field experiments on lacustrine deltas)
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineGeography
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 876 520541948
ucalgary.thesis.additionalcopyQE 33.2 R33 J65 1993en
ucalgary.thesis.notesoffsiteen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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