Equipment

TDEM (©WalkTEM, ABEM)

Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) uses low frequency EM waves to obtain the electrical conductivity of the surface in 1D. Particularly adapted to conductive underground it is used mostly for groundwater exploration up to 300m.

DC-Resistivity (©SyscalPro, IRIS Instruments)

DC-resistivity method uses a very low frequency electric field to determine the resistivity distribution of the subsurface. It is highly adaptable and used in many contexts: groundwater and mineral deposit exploration, environmental applications, etc. with various depth of investigation. UFAZ apparatus allows 2D imaging up to 150m approx.

Gravity & Magnetism (©CG-6 autograv, Scintrex & ©G857 magnetometer, Geometrics)

The gravity method uses the gravitational forces of the Earth to detect loses or gain of density in the underground. Those can be linked principally to specific geological structures, groundwater storage, void (natural or manmade). The magnetic method uses the Earth’s magnetic field to locate geologic materials and man-made items with ferrous minerals. It is principally used for ore deposit exploration and archeology.

Georadar (©ProEx, MALA)

Georadar uses high frequency EM waves to obtain the electrical conductivity and dielectric permittivity of the surface in 2D. It can be applied to many purpose such as localization of manmade object, delineation of shallow lithology and underground water. It is however limited in very conductive ground containing clay.

Seismic (©Geode 48-channels, Geometrics)

The apparatus available at UFAZ allows to measure refraction and speed of compressional waves (P-waves) to map geological features in 2D with high precision and depth up to 150m.

Jacob’s staff & Abney level

Jacob’s staff is mainly used to measure stratigraphic thicknesses in the field, especially when bedding is not visible or unclear (e.g., covered outcrop) and when due to the configuration of an outcrop, the apparent and real thicknesses of beds diverge therefore making the use of a tape measure difficult. Abney level is an instrument used in surveying which consists of a fixed sighting tube, a movable spirit level that is connected to a pointing arm, and a protractor scale. An internal mirror allows the user to see the bubble in the level while sighting a distant target. It can be used as a hand-held instrument or mounted on a Jacob’s staff for more precise measurement, and it is small enough to carry in a coat pocket.

Optical microscope

This microscope is a type of optical microscope used in petrology and optical mineralogy to identify rocks and minerals in thin sections. The microscope is used in optical mineralogy and petrography, a branch of petrology which focuses on detailed descriptions of rocks.

Basic geological field equipment

Lenses: enable geologists to examine rocks closely to identify minerals, see the size and shape of grains, look for small fossils or crystals, confirm the results of a hardness test, and much more.

Geological hammer

Special hammer used for splitting and breaking rocks. In field geology, they are used to obtain a fresh surface of a rock to determine its composition, bedding orientation, nature, mineralogy, history, and field estimate of rock strength.

Compass

Used to measure the orientation (strike and dip) of geological structures on the field, such as bedding planes, foliation, lineation, faults, etc.