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1 School of Earth Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HXZ, UK c.bristow{at}ucl.ac.uk
2 Department of Geography and Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004, USA jolhm{at}uwec.edu
In sedimentary geology, ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used primarily for stratigraphic studies where near-continuous, high-resolution profiles aid in determining: (1) stratigraphic architecture, (2) sand-body geometry, and (3) correlation and quantification of sedimentary structures. In the past, to investigate lateral continuity and variability of sediments, we had to infer the correlation between boreholes, outcrops or shallow trenches. Nowadays, with suitable ground conditions (sediment with high resistivity, e.g. sands and gravels), we can collect GPR profiles that show the subsurface stratigraphy. In addition, 3-D GPR can provide much greater appreciation of sand-body geometry and architecture. GPR is, however, not a universal panacea; in some cases, ground truth is still required because lithological determination is by no means unequivocal, therefore borehole or outcrop data may be required to corroborate the results of a GPR survey. Indeed, the latest GPR survey data, including 3-D depth migration, required both boreholes and outcrop data to generate a 3-D velocity model (e.g. Corbeanu et al. 2001). In addition, fine-grained sediments (low resistivity) and areas with saline groundwaters cause rapid attenuation of the radar signal, leading to poor signal penetration.
This book begins with an introductory paper (Jol & Bristow 2003) aimed at those with little or no experience of GPR and including the basics of data collection, processing and interpretation. The book is then divided into sections on sedimentary environments, including aeolian and coastal, fluvial and alluvial fan, glacial, and lakes; ancient sediments (reservoir analogues); tectonics; and engineering and environmental applications. The final section looks at various aspects of GPR methodology.
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