Survey method
| Measured parameter
| Physical Property
| Major Applications
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Potentials
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Gravity
| Spatial variations in the local strength of the gravitational field of the Earth
| Local variations in density
| Mapping of regional structures, sedimentary basins, salt diapers, plutonic intrusions delineation, sand and gravel deposits, depth to bedrock
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Magnetics
| Spatial variations in the local strength of the geomagnetic field
| Local variations in susceptibility and remanence
| Mapping of regional structures, airborne surveys, igneous intrusions, sea floor spreading, salt structures, mineral deposits, buried environmental hazards, archeology
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Electrical
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Resistivity
| Earth resistance (applied voltage / measured current)
| Electrical resistivity (conductivity)
| Mineral prospecting, engineering and hydrogeology, contaminant mapping, construction site investigation, groundwater
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Induced polarization (IP)
| Voltage decay, or frequency dependent resistance
| Electrical capacitance
| Detection of disseminated mineral deposits, aquifer mapping, contaminant mapping
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Self-potential (SP)
| Natural electric potential
| Electro-chemical activity
| Mineral prospecting, graphite detection, hydrogeology, geothermal studies
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Electromagnetic (EM)
| Secondary (induced) electromagnetic fields
| Electrical conductivity and inductance
| Deep mineral prospecting, airborne surveys, conducting faults, groundwater studies, detection of underground pipes and cables, agricultural studies
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Ground Penetrating Radar
| Traveltimes, amplitudes, waveforms of reflected electromagnetic pulse
| Electrical conductivity, radar image
| Shallow sedimentary structures, water table detection, bedrock mapping, mapping of hydrocarbon contaminants
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Seismic
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Earthquake, Microseismic
| Location of earthquake, traveltime of elastic waves
| Compressional, shear velocity, fracture location
| Earth mapping at all scales from global to mine excavation
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Refraction
| Traveltimes, amplitudes, waveforms of refracted elastic waves
| Compressional, shear wave velocities
| Crustal scale to engineering scale mapping of rock types, structural boundaries, foundations, hydrogeology
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Reflection
| Traveltimes, amplitudes, waveforms of reflected elastic waves
| Compressional, shear wave contrasts, density contrasts, seismic image
| Oil and gas exploration, site surveying, bedrock mapping, detection of shallow faults and cavities.
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