探地雷达在探测玉树走滑断裂带活动性中的初步应用

探地雷达具有快速、检测范围广、探测深度深、分辨率高及对地表环境无破坏等特点,在活动断层探测应用中具有很大的优势。在简要介绍玉树走滑断裂带活动性的基础上,选择高分辨率的探地雷达对隆宝、昔日达和盘琼沟处断裂带附近的活动断层进行探测。采用时间域有限差分法建立活动断层的数值模型对其雷达波响应特征进行模拟,分析断层在探地雷达剖面上的反射波特征。根据断层的反射波特征解译探地雷达图像,判断断层的位置、走向及空间展布。结合探槽开挖对比,探地雷达图像的解译结果与探槽开挖后的断裂带剖面展示的断层活动性质基本一致。根据隆宝、昔日达和盘琼沟处的探地雷达图像与探槽剖面上断层反射波特征的对比研究,解译了玉树地震震中位置探地雷达剖面上的断层展布。研究表明,探地雷达是一种快速探测活动断层的有效方法,尤其是在地表破裂不明显的区域,不仅可以准确地判断断层的位置、走向及空间展布,还可以将断裂带附近地下岩层的层位信息及探槽断面之外的地表下图像清晰地呈现出来,为以后运用探地雷达探测活动断层提供参考。     

基于构造活动历史的活断层工程避让研究

活断层工程避让在本质上属于工程抗断问题,其目的是减少活断层未来发生地表破裂时对建筑物的破坏.不是所有活断层都能产生地表破裂,只有地震活断层才是工程避让的对象.各种研究方法确定的活断层工程避让安全距离,是否适用于某一具体的活断层,尚需对活断层本身开展相关研究.本文基于活断层研究的基本方法,分别以贺兰山东麓断裂和银川隐伏断裂为例,通过对活断层构造活动历史的分析,以活断层的过去预测未来,为裸露和隐伏活断层的工程避让提供依据.对裸露活断层而言,采用地震地质填图、槽探、断层陡坎地貌调查的方法,鉴定其是否为地震活断层,古地震和断层陡坎地貌的原地复发特征是确定工程避让位置的依据,探槽剖面断层带宽度及断层陡坎宽度可作为避让距离的参考.对隐伏活动断裂而言,首先应通过多种手段进行断层定位,槽探和钻探是鉴定地震活断层并进行构造活动历史分析的基础.古地震事件的原地复发、以及钻探剖面不同深度不同沉积时期的地层界线的断距变化是分析未来地表破裂位置的主要依据,已有断层面在地表延伸的位置是下次地震地表破裂发生的位置,是工程避让的参照.通过分析,认为前人统计的15m避让距离适用于贺兰山东麓断裂和银川隐伏断裂,银川隐伏断裂考虑最大定位误差后的避让距离为40m.     

地质雷达探测技术在浅覆盖活动构造区填图中的应用——以宁夏青铜峡地区1:5万新构造与活动构造区填图为例

地质雷达探测以其分辨率高、定位准确、快速经济、灵活方便、剖面直观、实时图像显示等优点,成为地质调查中广泛使用的一种探测方法。本次宁夏青铜峡地区1∶5万新构造与活动构造区填图中运用地质雷达探测技术对第四系和隐伏断层进行了探测。结果表明,40 MHz地质雷达可以有效地探测地表以下30 m内的第四系结构,可清晰地识别出3套第四纪地层。这一地层结构划分被第四系浅钻证实,其为第四系全新统灵武组,自下而上由泥岩、砂砾石层和含砾的砂或泥等3套地层组成。对测区主干断裂——柳木高断裂南段的地质雷达探测表明,断裂带表现为近地表发散向下汇聚的正花状结构,这与探槽揭露的特征一致,表明地质雷达探测可以准确标定隐伏断层平面位置与垂向精细结构。本次宁夏地质填图证实,地质雷达技术是浅覆盖活动构造区进行隐伏断裂调查和第四纪地层层序划分的可行、高效、便捷的技术方法之一。     

紫金山金-铜矿露天采矿场地下不明空区的地质雷达探测

采用先进的地球物理技术探明露天采矿场地下不明空区的分布情况,准确确定其平面分布范围、顶面埋深及空间高度,对保障露天采矿作业的安全进行、预防突发性事故的发生具有十分重要的意义。运用地质雷达对福建紫金山金铜矿露天采矿场地下不明空区进行探测,在两个不同探测区块共完成18条探测剖面,剖面线总长近4km;经处理后的实测地质雷达剖面具有高清晰度、高分辨率,能准确反映地下各种不同规模的不明采空区的属性、平面位置、顶板埋藏深度、空区大致高度;地质雷达探测共查明较大空区异常55个。采用50MHz天线的地质雷达系统在该露采场的有效探测深度可以达40m以上。在露天采矿场,地质雷达探测受矿区地形条件及环境影响很小,可直接在岩（矿）石表面进行,不受第四系覆盖层对雷达波衰减吸收的影响。因此,地质雷达非常适应露天采矿场地下采空区的探测及定位。     

不同中心频率天线探地雷达在古城墙病害体探测中的应用研究

探地雷达探测精度高,方便灵活,效率高,可以根据病害体类型、埋藏深度、探测精度等要求,选择不同的天线组合类型达到最优的探测效果,并且该方法在探测过程中,不会对探测目标体造成损伤,探测结果直观,是目前探测古城墙病害体最为适用的方法。通过采用100 MHz、270 MHz、400 MHz、900 MHz、1600 MHz天线在古城墙顶面、侧面进行试验,全方位探测古城墙病害体的位置、范围、深度、规模等情况,根据不同中心频率天线的探地雷达图谱,对比分析不同频率天线探测古城墙病害体的有效性、优缺点以及适用范围。     

活断层的地震响应特征与瞬时地震属性

活断层探测是断层活动性评判的基础,也是天然地震灾害预防的依据,而浅层地震勘探是活断层探测的有效方法之一;而目前利用浅层地震方法评判断层活动性的能力亟待提高.通过构建了不同宽度破碎带的活断层理论模型,采用二维粘弹性波动方程有限差分法进行了波场响应特征模拟,运用希尔伯特变换方法提取了瞬时频率和相位属性.结果表明:地震水平叠加剖面和瞬时属性相结合可有效获取穿过第四系活断层的响应特征和实现断层活动性评判;当相干噪声达到30%时,水平叠加和瞬时频率属性剖面已难以追踪第四系中弱反射信号,而瞬时相位属性剖面仍可有效追踪;在实际活断层判定中,水平叠加、瞬时频率与瞬时相位地震属性剖面均可判断断层的存在,而穿过第四系的断层 (或破碎带) 特征瞬时相位属性最为明显和突出,水平叠加剖面次之,瞬时相位地震属性是判定断层活动性的重要和有效的属性.      

地下障碍物雷达定位探测的技术应用

探地雷达以其高分辨率准确确定地下障碍物方面发挥了显作用，主要阐述了地质雷达定位探测的方法原理，通过实例讨论了雷达定位探测的分辨率及深度问题，论述了天线中心频率、测量点距及天线间距的选取技术，并成功的应用于确定桩位下方的孤石体、局部软弱夹层、管线位置，经开挖及打桩验证，雷达定位探测的准确率很高。     

复杂条件下的地下管线探测模拟

近间距、非金属地下管线的探测是当今管线探测的两大难题,再加上复杂的层状介质及干扰因素的影响,使得管线探测的难度增加,雷达剖面上目标体异常的判断比较困难。为了定位目标管线,提高解释的精度,针对两大探测难题及干扰因素,运用探地雷达模拟软件Gpr Max,结合Matlab语言建立复杂层状条件下的管线模型进行模拟研究。模拟结果表明:250 MHz天线频率下埋深1 m的管线横向分辨率为50 cm,金属管线和非金属管线的雷达反射波图像不同,可根据非金属管线的雷达剖面图像判断出管线充填物质和管径大小。模拟结果对实际复杂地下管线探测可起到指导作用。     

地球物理探测技术在成都市浅表地质结构调查中的应用研究

【研究目的】 查明城市浅表地质结构特征,对于城市地下空间规划、开发区建设、地质灾害评价等有着重要的指导意义,而无损、抗干扰能力强的地球物理探测技术在提供城市地区地下地质信息方面可以发挥关键作用。【研究方法】 为了支撑成都市浅表的三维地质填图工作,本文应用11种新、老地球物理探测技术,开展了成都市浅表地质结构的探测研究。【研究结果】 研究结果表明：（1）地质雷达对于近地表的地层结构成像、建筑结构识别分辨率较高;（2）瞬态面波、混合源面波、三分量频率谐振法对50 m以浅的地质结构识别能力强,分辨率很高,但探测深度有限;（3）微动勘探法和高密度电阻率法对50 m以浅的地质结构分辨率较高,但深部分辨率一般;（4）等值反磁通瞬变电磁抗干扰能力强,施工效率高,50 m以浅分辨率较高,50~200 m深度范围内分辨率一般,对膏岩泥岩有较好的识别能力;（5）半航空瞬变电磁可弥补了常规物探方法无法进入特殊场地施工的不足;（6）浅层地震勘探对于浅地表50～300 m深度范围内的砂泥岩互层的变化特征和断层结构特征效果较好,配合自然伽马曲线,可有效识别砂泥岩的岩性界面;（7）音频大地电磁可有效识别成都平原深大断裂的空间分布形态。【结论】 综合各种地球物理方法的优缺点,建立了成都市浅表地质结构的地球物理组合探测技术方案,以期能为今后的城市浅表地质结构调查提供参考。     

探地雷达在公路工程建设中的应用

探地雷达作为一种高精度无损探测新技术，已广泛应用于工程勘察各领域，具有探测速度快、定位准确、轻便灵活、可实现连续透视扫描以及二维彩色图像实时显示等优点。不同的地质条件，探地雷达将表现为不同的波谱特征。文章在分析了探地雷达的分辨率与地层介质、探测深度、天线频率的基础上，例举了其在第四系地质、活动断裂、滑坡、土体性质等不同地质条件下的探测效果。     

Ground-penetrating radar as a tool to detect rock heterogeneities (channels, cemented layers and fractures) in the Luxembourg Sandstone Formation (Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg)

A combined study of radar profiles and thin section analysis supported by modelling of synthetic radar traces reveals that ground-penetrating radar (GPR) reflections generated in diagenetically altered sandstones cannot always be interpreted unequivocally. This is illustrated in the Luxembourg Sandstone Formation, which has been altered diagenetically by selective carbonate cementation and fracturing. Cemented lenses and concretions developed along the bedding planes, especially at places with high primary carbonate content. Cementation resulted in the alternation of cemented carbonate-rich sandy layers (thickness 30–50 cm and variable length) and uncemented carbonate-poor sandstone layers. The ability of GPR to detect the geometry of these lenses and vertical fractures with centimetre apertures has been tested at several antenna frequencies (100, 200, 250 and 500 MHz). Relative dielectric permittivity calculations were carried out to assess variations of this electric property within the cemented and uncemented layers as a function of porosity, calcite and water content in the pores. Two-dimensional full waveform modelling was also carried out to study the effect of conductivity in the sandstones and the effect of interlayer clay seams. At the penetration depth of the radar (7 m with 250 MHz), cemented lenses and concretions could only be detected with GPR when the porosity contrast was sufficiently high, which is not always the case. This conclusion is supported by the modelling. The data also proved the ability of radar to detect large open vertical fractures along which sandstones are weathered. The study has implications for investigations which will use GPR to detect three-dimensional distribution of diagenetic pore filling precipitates as well as secondary porosity development along fractures.     

Ground‐penetrating radar and sedimentological analysis of Holocene floodplains: Insight from the Tuross valley,New South Wales

Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) has been used on an array of floodplain types on the lower Tuross River, in southeastern New South Wales, as part of an investigation into controls on channel‐floodplain relationships. Ground‐penetrating radar transects from two floodplains are presented, along with sedimentological detail from trenches dug along the profiles at key locations. Sedimentological investigations showed that 100 MHz antenna gave an approximation of overall bedding trends in the upper 3 m when automatic gain control processing was used. Spreading and exponential compensation processing provided insight into textural changes associated with increased silt content distal of the levee crest. One trench showed that thinning beds were responsible for onlapping reflectors. Signal attenuation at ～4 m depth below the raised floodplain surface resulted from a >50 cm‐thick bed of sandy clay. The close integration of GPR and sedimentological data produced an excellent dataset, that enabled form‐process associations and floodplain evolution to be established for these sandy floodplains. However, accurate subsurface assessment and interpretation must stem from carefully combined GPR and sedimentological datasets.     

Ground penetrating radar application in a shallow marine Oxfordian limestone sequence located on the eastern flank of the Paris Basin, NE France

A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey has been carried out in Upper Jurassic limestones located on the eastern flank of the Paris Basin (NE France). The potential of the investigation method is assessed for delineating geologically meaningful stratifications in the shallow subsurface. The fundamentals of the GPR technique are described. Penetration depth and vertical resolution depends on the soil conditions, the characteristics of input signal and the configuration of the transmitter–receiver assembly. In the studied carbonates the penetration level is rather good and the electromagnetic signal reaches up to 1000 nanoseconds maximum (i.e. approximately 55 m). Several depositional units are outlined on the GPR profiles. Six different lithological units are recognised with distinct GPR reflection characteristics. The profiles illustrate the internal 3D organisation of the carbonate platform and its geometry. They provide detailed insight into the nature of an Oxfordian reefal build-up. The high-resolution subsurface model is directly calibrated with geological field observations and it results in a predictive 3D depositional working model. The GPR method is a non-destructive remote sensing technique that is cost effective. The method is considered complementary to other conventional high-resolution reservoir characterisation studies. It represents a powerful investigation tool in earth science studies concerning the imaging of the structure of the shallow subsurface.     

Electrical resistivity ground imaging (ERGI): a new tool for mapping the lithology and geometry of channel-belts and valley-fills

Efforts to map the lithology and geometry of sand and gravel channel‐belts and valley‐fills are limited by an inability to easily obtain information about the shallow subsurface. Until recently, boreholes were the only method available to obtain this information; however, borehole programmes are costly, time consuming and always leave in doubt the stratigraphic connection between and beyond the boreholes. Although standard shallow geophysical techniques such as ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and shallow seismic can rapidly obtain subsurface data with high horizontal resolution, they only function well under select conditions. Electrical resistivity ground imaging (ERGI) is a recently developed shallow geophysical technique that rapidly produces high‐resolution profiles of the shallow subsurface under most field conditions. ERGI uses measurements of the ground's resistance to an electrical current to develop a two‐dimensional model of the shallow subsurface (<200 m) called an ERGI profile. ERGI measurements work equally well in resistive sediments (‘clean’ sand and gravel) and in conductive sediments (silt and clay). This paper tests the effectiveness of ERGI in mapping the lithology and geometry of buried fluvial deposits. ERGI surveys are presented from two channel‐fills and two valley‐fills. ERGI profiles are compared with lithostratigraphic profiles from borehole logs, sediment cores, wireline logs or GPR. Depth, width and lithology of sand and gravel channel‐fills and adjacent sediments can be accurately detected and delineated from the ERGI profiles, even when buried beneath 1–20 m of silt/clay.     

Unveiling buried aeolian landscapes: reconstructing a late Holocene dune environment using 3D ground-penetrating radar

Across the UK, sandy beaches and dunes protect coastal infrastructure from waves and extreme water levels during large-scale storms, while providing important habitats and recreational opportunities. Understanding their long-term evolution is vital in managing their condition in a changing climate. Recently, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods have grown in popularity in geomorphological applications, yielding centimetre-scale resolution images of near-surface stratigraphy and structure, thus allowing landscape evolution to be reconstructed. Additionally, abrupt changes in palaeo-environments can be visualized in three dimensions. Although often complemented by core data, GPR allows interpretations to be extended into areas with minimal ground-truth control. Nonetheless, GPR data interpretation can be non-intuitive and ambiguous, and radargrams may not initially resemble the expected subsurface geometry. Interpretation can be made yet more onerous when handling the large 3D data volumes that are facilitated with modern GPR technology. Here we describe the development of novel semi-automated GPR feature-extraction tools, based on ‘edge detection’ and ‘thresholding’ methods, which detect regions of increased GPR reflectivity which can be applied to aid in the reconstruction of a range Quaternary landscapes. Since reflectivity can be related to lithological and/or pore fluid changes, the 3D architecture of the palaeo-landscape can be reconstructed from the features extracted from a geophysical dataset. We present 500 MHz GPR data collected over a buried Holocene coastal dune system in North Wales, UK, now reclaimed for use as an airfield. Core data from the site, reaching a maximum depth 2 m, suggest rapid vertical changes from sand to silty-organic units, and GPR profiles suggest similar lateral complexity. By applying thresholding methods to GPR depth slices, these lateral complexities are effectively and automatically mapped. Furthermore, automatic extraction of the local reflection power yields a strong correlation with the depth variation of organic content, suggesting it is a cause of reflectivity contrast. GPR-interpolated analyses away from core control thus offer a powerful proxy for parameters derived from invasive core logging. The GPR data collected at Llanbedr airfield highlight a complex dune system to a depth of 2.8 m, probably deposited in several phases over ~700 years, similar to elsewhere in North Wales.     

Concealed thrusts in the Middle Gangetic plain,India – A ground penetrating radar study proves the truth against the geomorphic features supporting normal faulting

As no evidence for thrusting has yet been reported from the Indo-Gangetic plain so, the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) has been considered to be the southern most limit of the Siwaliks to the Indo-Gangetic plain. The present study highlights the thrusting activities between the Gandak and Kosi megafan area in the Middle Gangetic plain. As these thrust sheets are concealed beneath thick sediment cover, direct surficial studies of the discontinuity planes are not possible. Further, the topographic breaks formed by the backward erosion of the uplifted thrust faces resemble normal faults with hanging walls to south. Due to gradual decreasing upliftment and/or erosion from north to south, the area shows a step like topographic appearance. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) studies reveal the concealed thrust planes beneath the sediments and the topographic breaks looking like normal faults are interpreted to be the relief created by backward erosion of the thrust sheets along with the overlying sediments. Out of four GPR profiles taken using 100 MHz antennae, three are across the topographic breaks along which most of the terminal fans are formed and one across the basement fault to study its subsurface nature. Initially GPR failed to strike any subsurface discontinuities at the topographic breaks. However, at certain distance to the south of the topographic breaks, GPR was able to strike the northerly dipping subsurface discontinuity planes. By combining the seismological signatures (distribution of earthquake epicenters) with geomorphology, these discontinuities are identified as thrusts. The GPR profiles show a gradual decrease of dip of the thrust planes from north to south across the area. Hence, by the geomorphology, seismological behavior, topography, orientation and continuity, other topographic breaks can be compared with the proven thrusts. GPR study on the basement fault revealed that the NE–SW trending basement faults are not active in the area. The compression between the South Muzaffarpur fault and the peninsular shield led to the generation of the N–S trending extensional Hathauri–Simariaghat fault with downthrown block towards east. Due to depth penetration limit, the GPR study was confined within 15 m depth. The presence of the discontinuity planes up to the base of the GPR profiles indicate their continuity at least up to the base of Holocene sediments. Although this study brought out the presence of concealed thrusts to the south of the HFT, more detailed work is needed further to study their depth extension, relation to the basement and their implication in Himalayan tectonics in a broad manner. At present, we consider these thrusts to be the splays of the HFT. For confirmation, we propose to carryout detail seismic surveys in future research work.     

GPR studies over the tsunami affected Karaikal beach,Tamil Nadu,south India

In this study, results of GPR profiling related to mapping of subsurface sedimentary layers at tsunami affected Karaikal beach are presented . A 400 MHz antenna was used for profiling along 262 m stretch of transect from beach to backshore areas with penetration of about 2.0 m depth (50 ns two-way travel time). The velocity analysis was carried out to estimate the depth information along the GPR profile. Based on the significant changes in the reflection amplitude, three different zones are marked and the upper zone is noticed with less moisture compared to other two (saturated) zones. The water table is noticed to vary from 0.5 to 0.75 m depth (12–15 ns) as moving away from the coastline. Buried erosional surface is observed at 1.5 m depth (40–42 ns), which represents the limit up to which the extreme event acted upon. In other words, it is the depth to which the tsunami sediments have been piled up to about 1.5 m thickness. Three field test pits were made along the transect and sedimentary sequences were recorded. The sand layers, especially, heavy mineral layers, recorded in the test pits indicate a positive correlation with the amplitude and velocity changes in the GPR profile. Such interpretation seems to be difficult in the middle zone due to its water saturation condition. But it is fairly clear in the lower zone located just below the erosional surface where the strata is comparatively more compact. The inferences from the GPR profile thus provide a lucid insight to the subsurface sediment sequences of the tsunami sediments in the Karaikal beach.     

Frequency domain electromagnetic and ground penetrating radar investigation of ephemeral streams: case study near the Southern High Plains,Texas

A frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) study was conducted on an ephemeral stream in north-central Texas to determine if FDEM and GPR measurements can be combined to determine the electrical characteristics of current and ancient stream channels. GPR data were collected at several frequencies to image sedimentary structures of different scale lengths, and to determine the formation porosity and water content of stream sediments. FDEM measurements were collected using Geonics EM31 and EM34 loop–loop instruments on a profile along the current stream channel and five profiles perpendicular to the channel. The results indicate that the greater spatial resolution of the EM31 mapped the current and possible ancient channels better than the EM34, however, the EM34 provided depth information on the formations underlying the channel sediments that the EM31 could not image. GPR measurements taken along a point bar deposit with 200, 100 and 25 MHz antennae indicated that the higher frequency antenna better resolved channel structures including laminar bedding, trough scours and cross-bedding, however, lower frequency antenna (25 MHz) imaged sedimentary structures within the underlying channel sediments. Common midpoint GPR measurements collected along the point bar deposit were used to estimate the sediment formation porosity (26%) and the water content, during a dry period, of the unsaturated (12%) and saturated (26 or 100% of the pore space) sediments. The combined results indicated that the FDEM data should be collected first because of the speed and ease of measurements. The FDEM data (especially the EM31) pointed to the locations of possible sedimentary structures, which can then be resolved by using different frequency GPR measurements.