Geophysics
Geophysics is a scientifically-proven, industry-accepted surveying technique designed to gather subsurface information while minimizing subsurface impacts. The application of geophysics is based on anticipated contrasts in physical properties between natural and man-made materials. Geophysics is both non-destructive and non-intrusive, and is a cost-effective and time-efficient method used to reduce the number of unknowns on a project.
Using geophysical methods, STS assists our clients in the following ways:
- Bathymetric and sub-bottom profiling
- Demolition cost and volume estimations (e.g, foundations, utilities, sheet piles)
- Geologic characterization
- Geotechnical and civil design support
- Identification of potential unknown hazards
- Landfill siting and monitoring
- Soil boring and monitoring well siting
STS offers many geophysical surveying techniques including:
- Borehole geophysics
- Electrical Resistivity and Induced Polarization (IP) for measuring soil resistivity, mapping contaminant plumes and leachate seepage, characterizing soil stratigraphy (i.e., sand ‚ vs ‚ clay) and their continuity, mapping sinkholes, fractures, and other geologic structures
- Electromagnetics (EM-31, EM-38, EM-61, EM-34) for mapping buried metal targets and ground conductivity variations (conductive fluids, air-filled voids or utilities, etc.)
- Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) with various antennas for different exploration depths and resolution — numerous applications
- Magnetics for mapping buried ferromagnetic material (e.g., targets containing iron or steel) and magnetic geologic formations
- Seismic reflection and refraction for mapping geologic stratigraphy and structures
